Solanum scabrum
Mill.
Garden huckleberry, African nightshade
(c) Igor, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Igor
(c) carla1964, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
(c) Alexander Iosipenko, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Alexander Iosipenko
What to Eat
Edible parts: Fruit, Leaves, Vegetable
The ripe fruit is used cooked in preserves, jams, and pies and has a pleasant musky taste. Only fully ripe fruits should be used, as unripe fruits contain the toxin solanine. It is often cooked with a little baking soda first to remove any bitterness. The fruit contains approximately 2.5% protein, 0.6% fat, 5.6% carbohydrate, and 1.2% ash, and measures up to 12mm in diameter. Young leaves and new shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb or added to soups, though the plant's possible toxicity should be noted.
Known Hazards
Where to Find It
A tropical and subtropical plant. It grows in warm humid forest. Seed germinate best at 15-30°C and growth is best between 20-30°C. It grows from sea level to 2,000 m above sea level. It needs 500 mm rainfall. It suits hardiness zones 9-12. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Africa, Asia, Australia, Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Chad, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Equatorial Guinea, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Kenya, Liberia, Mozambique, New Zealand, Nigeria, North America, Philippines, Reunion, Rwanda, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tibet, Togo, Uganda, USA, West Africa, Zambia,
How to Identify
A bushy plant. It grows 60 cm high and spreads 45 cm wide. It grows each year from seed. The leaves are broadly oval. The flowers are small and white. The fruit are black berries. They are 18 mm wide. The fruit are purplish-black.
Nutrition Score: 27/100
| Part | Moisture | kJ | kcal | Protein | Vit A | Vit C | Iron | Zinc |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Leaves | 89.5 | — | — | 4.4 | — | — | 3 | 0.5 |
How to Grow
Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes shade. Caterpillars and slugs are particularly fond of this plant and can totally destroy it. This is a cultivated form of S. nigrum, grown for its edible fruit. There is at least one named form. See notes about possible toxicity at the top of this page. There is some disagreement among taxonomists as to the correct name of this plant. It is also listed as S. melanocerasum. Grows well with clover. Does not grow well with wormwood or white mustard and, when these plants are growing Closely related to S. nigra, they increase its content of toxic alkaloids.
Propagation: Sow seed in spring in situ. Seed can also be started in a greenhouse in spring, which will generally produce larger crops. Prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in late spring.
Medicinal Uses
The whole plant is antiperiodic, antiphlogistic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, narcotic, purgative, and sedative. It is harvested in autumn when flowers and fruit are both present and dried for later use. Use with caution given the plant's noted toxicity. The leaves, stems, and roots are used in treating cancerous sores, leucoderma, and wounds. Extracts of the plant are analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory. It has been used in the manufacture of locally analgesic ointments, and the fruit juice has been applied to relieve toothache.
Other Uses
None known
Wikipedia
Source ↗Solanum scabrum, also known as garden huckleberry, is an annual or perennial plant in the nightshade family. The geographic origin of the species is uncertain; Linnaeus attributed it to Africa, but it also occurs in North America, and it is naturalized in many countries. In Africa it is cultivated as a leaf vegetable and for dye from the berries.
Production
The leaves are highly perishable after harvest.
Other Information
It is a cultivated food plant. Fruit are sold in markets.
Notes
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
Names & Synonyms
Am b 'lito zeriga, Kinsumba
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