of South America. The study of the molecular variation of this pepino is of interest for several reasons. Although the seeds of pepino plants are fertile and produce vigorous offspring, this crop is primarily propagated by cuttings (Heiser, 1964; Anderson, 1979; Morley-Bunker, 1983), and as a consequence, its genetic structure could be different from that of seed-propagated crops. Culinary use Delicate and mild-flavored, pepinos are often eaten as a fresh snack fruit. They combine very well with a number of other fruits as well. References Footnotes (1997): The Spirit of Ancient Peru: Treasures from the Museo Arqueológico Rafael Larco Herrera. New York: Thames and Hudson. (2007): AFLP and DNA sequence variation in an Andean domesticate, pepino (Solanum muricatum, Solanaceae): implications for evolution and domestication. Am. J. Bot. 94(7): 1219–1229. PDF fulltext (1996): Pepino Dulce. Version of 1996. Retrieved 2008-SEP-27. (1988): Beiträge zur Ökologie der Frucht- und Ertragsbildung von Solanum muricatum Ait. PDF fulltext Google Books (1989): Lost Crops of the Incas: Little-known Plants of the Andes with Promise for Worldwide Cultivation. National Academy Press. [2008]: Solanum muricatum. Retrieved 2008-SEP-27. muricatum Edible Solanaceae Crops originating from Peru Crops originating from Ecuador Taxa named by William Aiton Plants described in 1789