Solanum sessile

Ruiz & Pav.

Sessile nightshade

SolanaceaeFruitPotential hazards — see below

iNaturalist · cc-by-sa
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), uploaded by Tony Rebelo

iNaturalist · cc-by-sa
(c) Tony Rebelo, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

What to Eat

Edible parts: Fruit

Fruit. There is also a report that the fruit is toxic to vertebrates. The fruit is a globose, green berry around 10 - 15mm in diameter.

Known Hazards

The plant is toxic to vertebrates: The cooked fruit is used as a hunting poison. 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.

Amazon, Andes, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, South America*, Venezuela,

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

How to Identify

A tropical shrub in the Solanaceae family that is cultivated and produces edible fruit.

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. Cuttings of half-ripe wood. Very easy, the cuttings root within a couple of weeks.

Other Uses

The stems are used for fuel.

Other Information

It is cultivated.

Names & Synonyms

Gulac, Hediondilla, Jurubebinha, Maikuanim, Mun sauk, Yarga huando, Sacha congompe, Sanango, Yunkua

Pheliandra herthae Werderm.Solanum dibrachiatum Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.Solanum grandifolium C.V.MortonSolanum herthae (Werderm.) D'ArcySolanum marmellosanum BitterSolanum pulchrum DunalSolanum pulchrum var. peruvianum Dunal

References (3)

Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 620
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 595