Solanum morellifolium
Bohs
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd
(c) Misshael Antony Chaca Ccapa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Misshael Antony Chaca Ccapa
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc-nd
(c) Misshael Antony Chaca Ccapa, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), uploaded by Misshael Antony Chaca Ccapa
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) James G. Graham, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by James G. Graham
Description
A herb or shrub. It grows 1 m tall. The stems can be slightly hairy. The leaves are simple and 3-17 cm long by 1-7 cm wide. The flowering shoots are 0.5-2.5 cm long with 3-7 flowers. The fruit are 7-12 mm long by 6-12 mm wide. They are round and can grow larger. The are green with purple lines.
Edible Uses
The fruit is eaten.
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.
Distribution
It is a tropical plant.
Where It Grows
Brazil, Ecuador, Peru, South America,
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.
Also Known As
Shimpich
References (1)
- Kermath, B. M., et al, 2014, Food Plants in the Americas: A survey of the domesticated, cultivated and wild plants used for Human food in North, Central and South America and the Caribbean. On line draft. p 820
