Leaf

This gorgeous leaf is found in the rather wonderful ‘Vegetable Way’ greenhouse at Ryton Gardens. It’s a plant called ‘the lost food of the Incas’. The naranjilla or lulo (Solanum quitoensis) is related to tomatoes and potatoes and is used in South America for drinks and sorbets. Apparently it contains scopolamine, nicotine and atropine, so go steady with it. If that appeals, seeds and growing instructions are available from Ready to Grow

Papaya or paw paw (Carica papaya) is also native to South America. It needs to be grown in a greenhouse for any chance of fruit development in the UK, but can be grown in a container (as here at Ryton). and with a well-draining compost could reach head height in a season. How to grow papaya. The seeds are being studied for contraceptive properties.

Watermelon (Citrullus lanatus) (both photos above) originated in tropical Africa but is also possible to grow it in British greenhouses. This will do, although like most information on the web, is aimed at a US audience. At Ryton there are two guinea-pig sized fruits hiding shyly under the leaves.

Googling ‘watermelon’ results in ‘Watermelon love. A torrid tale of interactive melon twisting. Our cheeky demure hostess takes us on a desire fuelled trip into the surreal underworld of ...’ Blimey! Also, the fact that watermelons can be grown square. (Does that make them easier to twist?) Wikipedia also says: ‘The term watermelon is sometimes applied to professed Greens who seem to put social goals above ecological ones, implying they are "green on the outside but red on the inside."’