Solanum calidum

Bohs

Solanaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below 1 iNaturalist observations

iNaturalist· cc-by-nc

gbif· cc-by-nc

Rapid Reference Collection (RRC) | Field Museum of Natural History - Keller Science Action Center

Contribute a photo Sign in required

Description

A small tree in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) found in tropical regions.

This description is brief — help expand it

Edible Uses

Fruit. The fruit is a globose or ellipsoidal, obtuse or rarely acute at apex berry turning greenish white when ipe; it is around 25 - 50mm x 15 - 25mm.

Medicinal Uses

The cooked fruit is used to treat heart conditions. The leaves are used to treat inflammation. An infusion of the leaves is useful for lowering fever in children.

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

Clearings, paths, and light gaps in primary forest, at elevations from 100 - 1,850 metres.

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 pilosa Bohs

Also Known As

Asua manga, Asua manka kushni china yura, Cushnichina yura, Chupo sacha macho, Chupo socha macho, Co'pe, Manga caspi, Manka kaspi, Nanagoncawe, Pungi huanduj, Sache tomate, Tinteuqnecame, Tomate de monte, Tsetsequerocho, Tsuna, Tsuna japimiarman, Wantsaunik

References (3)

Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 614
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 590