Solanum incanum

Solanum incanum is a species of nightshade, a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is native to East Africa, West Africa, the Middle East, and eastwards to India. The species was introduced to Taiwan and Vietnam. Common names include thorn apple, bitter apple, bitterball and bitter tomato It may be confused with the similar S. linnaeanum where their ranges overlap in Africa. In ancient India, Solanum incanum was domesticated into the eggplant, Solanum melongena.

Description

A herb or shrub. It grows 120 cm high. The stems and branches are yellow-green. They have prickles up to 8 mm long. These can be straight or curved. The leaves are 4-8 cm long by 3-6 cm wide. They are broadly oval. The flower are purple-blue. The fruit is a round berry. It is 2-3 cm long and yellow. The seeds are 2.5 mm wide.

Edible Uses

Immature fruit and young leaves are cooked and eaten, or used in pickles. The fruit juice is used as a rennet to curdle milk. The fruit is also pounded with red peppers and cola to make a drink.

Traditional Uses

The immature fruit and young leaves are cooked and eaten. They are used in pickles. The fruit juice is used as a rennet to curdle milk. The fruit are pounded with red peppers and cola to make a drink.

Medicinal Uses

The plant has traditional medicinal uses.

Known Hazards

The wild form of the plant is toxic, though cultivars have been developed that are cultivated for their edible fruits and leaves. The fruits are used as an ingredient of arrow poisons and fish poisons. All Solanum species contain greater or lesser quantities of spirosolane alkaloids, including solanine and solanidine. These are bitter tasting and potentially poisonous when consumed frequently.

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows between 1-2,350 m above sea level. It needs good light. In Pakistan it grows up to 1,400 m altitude. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Africa, Angola, Arabia, Benin, Botswana, Burundi, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central Africa, Chad, Congo DR, East Africa, Egypt, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Ghana, Guinea-Bissau, India, Iran, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mediterranean, Middle East, Mozambique, Namibia, Nepal, Nigeria, North Africa, Northeastern India, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Sikkim, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Togo, Uganda, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It can be cut back and will re-grow.

Propagation

Seed - sow in a seedbed or containers. Plant out into their permanent positions when about 6 - 8cm tall.

Other Uses

The boiled fruits are used as soap and in tanning leather.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable.

Notes

It is used in medicine. This plant is the original plant from which Solanum melongena was selected.

Nutrition

Synonyms

Also Known As

Asind, Bah N'goyo, Bee, Bitter apple, Data, Gautan-daci, Idi-gaga, Imbway, Intobo, Jakato, Jangli baingan, Jangli khashi, Kori wal, Mahokari, Mahora, Matungusa, Morolwana, Mtonda, Mtula, Mtungusa, Nangali, Nduo, Ngbako, Soropes, Thorn apple, Tingi, Umucucu, Undulele, Waniinye

References (22)

• Dalziel, J. M., 1937, The Useful plants of west tropical Africa. Crown Agents for the Colonies London.
• Diarra, N. et al, 2016, Etude ethnobotanique des plantes alimentaires utilisées en période de soudure dans les régions Sud du Mali. Int. J. Biol. Chem. Sci. 10(1): 184-197
• Flora of Pakistan. www.eFloras.org
• Food Composition Tables for use in Africa FAO http://www.fao.org/infoods/directory No. 830
• Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 61

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