Garden of Grandeur

As Halloween approaches talk of pumpkins begin to circulate. One thing that I encountered a few years ago around this time was the issue of the “Pumpkin on a Stick”. I had never heard of it, so was more of an eavesdropper as it were to the topic. But, what I gathered was that there was a plant with fruit out there being referred to as Pumpkin Bush, Pumpkin Tree and finally, Pumpkin on a Stick, as that is what it looks like.

Upon further prying, I learned that it does exist, and is it is classified as Solanum Integrifolium. It grows between three to five feet tall and creates a fruit that looks very much like a tiny pumpkin once it reaches maturity. Through out its growth process it goes from a dark green to a orangey red and then ultimately to that definitive jack o’ lantern orange.

It is truly adorable, and makes a great conversation piece should you grow it. However, it is not in fact a type of pumpkin, but is an ornamental eggplant. But, I think that just adds to its curious nature.