Solanum coactiliferum

J. Black

Western nightshade

Solanaceae Edible: Fruit 99 iNaturalist observations

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Description

A small erect shrub. It is hairy and 30 cm high. It often has prickles which curve backwards. These are usually only on the stems. The leaves are oblong and often folded. They are 5 cm long. The flowers are purple and have yellow stamens in the centre. The fruit are yellow when ripe. They are 1.5 cm across.

Edible Uses

The small berries can be eaten raw or baked after removing the bitter seeds.

Traditional Uses

The small berries may be eaten raw once the bitter seeds have been removed. The fruit can also be baked and eaten once the seeds have been removed.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Distribution

It is a tropical plant. It grows on sandplains. It can grow in arid places.

Where It Grows

Australia*,

Notes

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Also Known As

Itunypa, Tjantu, Warakalukalu

References (10)

Cancilla, D., 2018, Ethnobotanical and Ethnozoological Values Desktop Assessment - Eliwana Project. p 44
Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 119, 191
Goddard, C. & Kalotas A. (Eds.), Punu, 2002, Yankunytjatjara plant use. Jukurrpa books. p 61
Hunter, J.T., 2017, Is there a relationship between contemporary high Aboriginal plant resource locations and mapped vegetation communities? Cunninghamia 17:27-34. The Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. ISSN 2200 - 405X
Lang, P. J., et al, 1986, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Lands Biological Survey. p 42

Show all 10 references

Latz, P.K., 1996, Bushfires and Bushtucker: Aboriginal plant use in Central Australia. IAD Press Alice Springs p 271
Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 221
Paczkowska, G . & Chapman, A.R., 2000, The Western Australian Flora. A Descriptive Calatogue. Western Australian Herbarium. p 537
Samuels, J., 2015, Biodiversity of Food Species of the Solanaceae Family: A Preliminary Taxonomic Inventory of Subfamily Solanoideae. Resources 2015, 4. 277-322
Urban, A., 1990, Wildflowers of Inland Australia. Portside editions. p 169