The Pepino melon (Solanum muricatum) is native to the highlands of Peru and Chile, but is now also grown in other South and Central American countries, in California and in New Zealand. The plant is not found in the wild and details of its origin are unknown. They were being grown in California at least by 1889. Today they are popular in Japan.
It is also known as treemelon, bush melon, pepino melon, melon pear and mellowfruit. Pepino is Spanish for ‘cucumber’, and the Latin American name pepino dulce means ‘sweet cucumber.’
(‘Pepino’ is also used in some areas of South America for the Cassabanana.)