What are these pumpkin peppers?

12 years ago

Was at Walmart buying assorted odds and ends when I saw these in the flower bouquets.

They have the following label on them:

As you can see, it says they're chili's, and they do indeed appear to be pepper-like. The stalks they're growing on are dark, but not woody, the skin is similar to a firm tomato. However upon cutting one open to harvest seeds, it smelled almost like a banana, and had no heat what-so-ever (did not taste good either). The thing was also absolutely PACKED with seeds. I easily got over a hundred from one with a diameter less than the length of my finger.

I'm not 100% sure they're even peppers, but the stems look like pepper stems, and the label claims they're chilis. Anybody have the slightest clue what they are?

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Comments (11)

smokemaster_2007
12 years ago
I was given some seeds for something called Pumpkin on a stick.
it was supposed to be a chile but it isn't.
Looks similar.
Leaves look nothing like a Pepper.
It's in the eggplant family.

Bet thats what it is...

Google Pumpkin on a stick.
Seeds look like pepper seeds too.

Here is a link that might be useful: Pumpkin on a stick
Edymnion
Original Author
12 years ago
Yup, looked up some images of the PoaS, and that is exactly what I've got. I want to say that its really weird that this thing is an eggplant (I still think of eggplants as just being the classic big purple thing), but now that I see this that explains the almost banana like smell.

Thanks for the fast ID!
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nc_crn
12 years ago
It's pretty damn bitter, too...even when cooked well. They're popular in parts of Africa as a food...a friend of mine from Mali grows them.
farmerdill
12 years ago
There is a Capsicum annuum named Pumpkin pepper. An ornamental that is recommended for dried arrangements.
Solanum integrifolium/aethiopicum (mock tomato)is most likely what you have. Generally known as an eggplant but a different species than the garden variety Solanum melongena var. esculentum

Here is a link that might be useful: Pumpkin pepper
Edymnion
Original Author
12 years ago
I've got plans to grow some this spring for decorations next fall, and then cut the plant back into a bonsai when I'm done. Cut it down real low, and train the branches out down close to the ground so the fruit will be almost touching the surface. Make my own little bonsai pumpkin patch.

And yes, its quite bitter. Took a lick to see if it had heat before digging seeds out with my fingers. Don't think I'll be eating these in any fashion, they'll be strictly ornamental.
rick_in_va
12 years ago
Solanum aethiopicum/integrifolium (pumpkin tree) has wicked thorns on the stems like a rose bush, but I can't make them out in your photos. Are they there? In fact, even the leaves have thorns. It's a very inhospitable plant!

USDA database calls them Ethiopian Eggplant. Also sometimes called Scarlet Chinese Eggplant. Google Solanum aethiopicum for a lot of good hits.

As you say, they are full of seeds! I got mine at a grocery store florist. One fruit is plenty for trading.

Rick
smokemaster_2007
12 years ago
Look under the second pods in his pic.
Might be thorns.
The Pumpkin on a stick I had was nasty with thorns and Holly like spiked leaves but shaped different.
rick_in_va
12 years ago
If they don't have thorns, then it's probably something different, like Pumpkin Pepper (Capsicum baccatum). Looks similar and also can be dried for decorations, but redder in color, whereas Pumpkin Stick starts out yellow then turns orange when ripe. Edymnion's look like they are going from green to red in the pics.
rick_in_va
12 years ago
Also Pumpkin Sticks are woody and stiff like rose bushes, not like pepper vines.
Edymnion
Original Author
12 years ago
Oh, they have thorns, its just that most of them were shaved off to make them more acceptable as a bouquet. Trust me, when I was thinking they were chile peppers because of the label I was handeling them carelessly and found a really good thorn.
M Delores Somers
8 years ago
This will take you to a page and tell you about them. Hope this helps.

https://www.harrisseeds.com/storefront/p-710-pepper-pumpkin-pepper.aspx