Cyphomandra betacea (Cav.) Sendtn.

 
  • Family : SOLANACEAE
    (Nightshade Family)
  • Family (Hindi name) : BAINGAN FAMILY (बैंगन फैमिली)
  • Family (as per The APG System III) : Solanaceae
  • Species Name (as per The IPNI) : Solanum betaceum Cav.
  • Common name : Tomarillo, Tree tomato
  • Vernacular name :
    • Maraththakkali (Tamil)
    • Seemakkathiri, Marathakkali (Malayalam)
  • Habit : Tree
  • Habitat : Planted in gardens, Hilly regions
  • Comments / notes : Planted, runs wild in low altitude sholas and exposed areas
  • Flower, Fruit : February-April
  • Distribution :
    • Kerala : Idukki district
    • Tamil Nadu : Yercaud (Salem district), Dindigul district, The Nilgiri district
  • Native : Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Venezuela, Windward Islands
  • Exotic/Native : Exotic
  • World Distribution : Cultivated in most parts of the world.
  • Conservation Status : Not Evaluated (NE)
  • Literature :
    • Pullaiah et al., 2011 - Flora of Eastern Ghats Vol. 4
    • Matthew, K.M., The Flora of Tamil Nadu Carnatic, Vol.3 (1). Diocesan Press, Madras. 1983
    • Sasidharan, N. 2011. Flowering plants of Kerala. DVD, V 2, KFRI.
  • Read more :
  • Permalink : http://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Cyphomandra betacea
  • Citation : Sankara Rao, K., Deepak Kumar (2026). India Flora Online. http://indiaflora-ces.iisc.ac.in/plants.php?name=Cyphomandra betacea. Downloaded on 30 January 2026.

Botanical Description

Line Drawings

Field Image(s)

Distribution District wise

India Distribution

World Distribution

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