Cyphomandra
(from kyphoma, a hump, and aner, a man; in allusion to the anthers forming a hump). SYN. Pionandra. ORD. Solanaceae. In this genus there are about twenty-four species, all natives of South America. The only one worthy of mention here is C. betacea, which is a handsome greenhouse shrub, thriving in a compost of loam and leaf mould. Propagated by seed; or by cuttings, placed under a hand glass, in bottom heat.
C. betacea (esculent). fl. in long pendulous racemes, when in bud purple, then greenish; when fully expanded green, with a dark streak on the back of each segment. fr. reddish when ripe, egg-shaped; an excellent substitute for tomatoes. l. somewhat succulent, stalked, shortly acuminate, entire, glossy dark green. Stem erect, arborescent, finally attaining a height of 12ft. to 14ft. South Brazil, 1836. SYN. Solanum fragrans. (B. M. 3684.)