Abstract Tree tomato is an important crop from South America. Trees attain heights of two to four meters. The inflorescence is known as a scorpioid cyme that bears between 10–50 flowers. Tree tomato is a subtropical perennial tree that flowers between 1000 to 3000 m in the tropics and subtropics. In the tropics, flowering and fruiting occur throughout the year. Pollen size is 20 μm in polar diameter and 19 μm in equatorial diameter. Pollination is mediated by biotic vectors, such as insects e.g. bees and bumblebees. Also, abiotic vectors such as wind play an important role in pollination. Fruit growth has a characteristic sigmoidal type of growth curve. Tree tomato has a high cultivar diversity. It has important health improving properties. Fruit set per inflorescence is low. Breeding and hybridization programs have been important for obtaining pathogen and disease resistant cultivars.