Pumpkin on a Stick, or Ornamental Eggplant

Ornamental Eggplant

Is There Such a Plant as a Pumpkin on a stick!?

There most certainly is! After receiving numerous telephone calls and emails, we set out to find the truth behind this rumor. After much research and effort, we indeed discovered the “Pumpkin on a Stick” plant. Not only did we uncover the dirt about this plant, we actually obtained seeds and grew it. It is a lot of fun to grow.

This plant became a conversation piece in our yard. Wisely, we grew it in a flower bed, near our deck. As a result, many people saw it as it grew. As the fruit began to appear, people made guesses at what it was. (we didn’t let on.) Some people thought it was a miniature pumpkin. Others, identified it as a strange tomato. No one was quite sure what to think of it. No one was sure if it was edible.

It is also called Pumpkin Tree and Pumpkin Bush. The plant grows three to five feet tall. It produces ribbed fruit, a little smaller than a miniature (Jack B. Little) pumpkin. As the fruit grows, it is a deep green color. The fruit ripens to a deep, reddish orange. When the fruit is dried, it’s color lightens, appearing more orange in color. 

So what is this plant and how is it used?

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Pumpkin on a Stick is classified as a vegetable Indeed, it is edible.  The cute, pumpkin-like fruit is used most often in Asian cuisine.

Florists love this plant It shines the brightest as an ornamental when used in Autumn flower arrangements.  The leaves are tripped off the stem, exposing the bright, red-orange pumpkins.

Note: Be careful when working with the stems. The have, sharp thorns. 

It is classified as Solanum Integrifolium.

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Unfortunately....disappointingly for us pumpkin growers, it is an ornamental eggplant!

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You can still call this plant and fruit Pumpkin on a Stick. That is the common names given to this plant.

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Florist use it for fall flower arrangements. They only know it as Pumpkin on a Stick.

We enjoyed growing this plant and will do so often, perhaps every year. It is quite the conversation piece.

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