Solanum occultum

Bohs

Hidden nightshade

Solanaceae Edible: Seeds, Fruit Potential hazards — see below 2 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A shrub. It can grow 1-8 m tall. The fruit is oval or round and 3-5 cm long and wide. They are yellow.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Fruit - used to prepare drinks and juices. The ellipsoidal or globose, probably yellowish fruits are 30 - 50mm x 30 - 45mm. Seed are reportedly edible. - should this refer to Solanum endopogon? See Ethnobotany of the genus Cyphomandra (Solanaceae) L. Bohs Economic Botany, Vol. 43, No. 2 (Apr. - Jun., 1989), pp. 143-163

Traditional Uses

The fruit are used for juice and drinks.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

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. It grows between 100-1,200 m above sea level.

Where It Grows

Amazon, Andes, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, South America*,

Cultivation

Plants can be grown from seed.

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.

Synonyms

Cyphomandra stellata Bohs

Also Known As

Berenjena de montana, Gallinaso sacha, Gallinazo copal, Ko pi, Mee oom be te ka, Munnejendas, Nemponcan, Pakupkus, Sacha macho, Tomate de arbol, Wa so a, Yodil

References (5)

Ferns, Useful Tropical Plants
Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 618
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 822
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 594