Solanum rugosum
Dunal
Rugose nightshade
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Guillaume Léotard, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Guillaume Léotard
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kurt Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kurt Miller
iNaturalist· cc-by-nc
(c) Kurt Miller, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by Kurt Miller
Description
A tropical shrub in the nightshade family (Solanaceae) with edible fruit.
This description is brief — help expand it
Medicinal Uses
The seeds are crushed into a powder and used to treat persistent sores and 'bush yaws'. The fruit is used in the treatment of diarrhoea.
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
Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Central America, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guianas, Hispaniola, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Venezuela, West Indies,
Cultivation
The plant can flower and produce fruit throughout the year.
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.
Other Uses
The whitish wood is soft and brittle.
Also Known As
Caiucara, Caja cara, Cucuna, Folosoetiki, Huevo de paloma, Kebegowe, Menenabo, Niemekaguemo, Oro de rey zope, Sepi, Tabacon, Tabacon aspero, Tangni pihni, Wonyek, Zorillo
References (2)
- Grandtner, M. M. & Chevrette, J., 2013, Dictionary of Trees, Volume 2: South America: Nomenclature, Taxonomy and Ecology. Academic Press p 620
- Roa, J. A. G. & Boada, D. S. G., 2018, Fundación para el Fortalecimiento de la Fruticultura y Plantas Alimenticias no Convencionales en Colombia.
