Solanum canense

Rydb.

SolanaceaeFruitPotential hazards — see below

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(c) Jo Roberts, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Jo Roberts

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(c) Sune Holt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Sune Holt

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

Fruit[435' 1783].The fruit is a globose to broadly ellipsoidal berry, pale green with dark green stripes when mature; it is around 15 - 25mm long and 10 - 20mm in diameter.

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant.

Where to Find It

It is a tropical plant.

Colombia, Ecuador, South America*,

Countries: Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Peru, Paraguay, Suriname, Uruguay, Venezuela

How to Identify

A tropical herbaceous plant in the nightshade family.

How to Grow

Propagation: Seed - sow in trays in a nursery. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. Plant them out when 10cm or more tall. Division of the stems..

Medicinal Uses

The juice of the fruit and leaves, with hot water, is used to treat stomach pains.

Names & Synonyms

Chinpaul, Simbalo

Solanum suaveolens var. balaoense Bitter

References (3)

Barfod, A. S. & Kvist, L. P., 1996, Comparative Ethnobotanical Studies of the Amerindian Groups in Coastal Ecuador. The Danish Academy of Sciences and Letters. p 79
Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
Torre, de la, L., et al, 2008, Enciclopedia de las Plantas Útiles del Ecuador. Herbario QCA. Pontificia Universidad Católica del Ecuador. p 590