Cyphomandra

/ˌsaɪfoʊˈmændrə/ noun

Definition

A genus of tropical shrubs native to South America, including the tamarillo or tree tomato, which produces edible oval fruits.

Etymology

From Greek 'kyphe' (hollow/cup) and 'andro' (male/stamen), describing the cup-shaped flower structure. The genus was named based on floral morphology.

Kelly Says

The tamarillo—a South American fruit that tastes like a passion fruit-tomato hybrid—hides under the scientific name Cyphomandra, which refers to the flower's hollow center; colonizers renamed it, but its Quechua name 'tamarillo' eventually won out!

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