Solanum pimpinellifolium Seeds | Red Currant Tomato Lycopersicon
LATIN NAME: Solanum pimpinellifolium
COMMON NAME: Currant Tomato
Plant Profile
Currant Tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium) is the wild currant tomato, a sprawling vine of the nightshade family (Solanaceae) native to the coastal regions of Ecuador and Peru and the closest wild relative of the cultivated tomato. It bears long trusses of tiny, bright-red, pea-sized fruits with an intense, sweet-tart flavour. Its vigour, disease resistance and rich genetics make it important both to breeders and to adventurous gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Solanum pimpinellifolium sits in the nightshade family, a group that keeps botanists, horticulturists and plant breeders busy with questions of classification, adaptation and ornamental potential. As a close wild relative of cultivated tomato, currant tomato holds a recognised place in research on tomato breeding and disease resistance of nightshade family, and pimpinellifolium species appears in studies of useful wild genes and heat tolerance. Continuing work by breeders and collectors keeps good seed of this species moving through the trade.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Currant Tomato for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. In warm kitchen garden, currant tomato cascades summer branches with red clusters. Tiny fruits serve salads, garnishes and snacks for generations, they feed birds, and plant trails from basket and the pot. It grows well in rich, moist, well-drained, sunny ground. A plant that has settled in will get along with only routine care.
The nightshade genus feeds the world, potato, tomato, eggplant, and arms it too: goji is its tonic member, while many ornamentals carry toxic solanine-type alkaloids, so identification is everything in this genus.
Growing from Seed
Raising Currant Tomato from seed is straightforward. Scatter the seed evenly over a loose seed compost, cover to no more than its own depth, and keep the pot moist and bright. Prick the seedlings out once they are large enough to handle, grow them on in bright light, and plant out when conditions allow.
Our Take
Given the right start, Currant Tomato is a long-term garden companion. It is generous with beginners and their occasional misjudgements.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Currant Tomato often pair it with these related subjects: