Solanum fendleri

A. Gray

Fendler's Horse-nettle, Fendler potato

Solanaceae Edible: Root, Tuber Potential hazards — see below 650 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A hermaphroditic perennial pollinated by insects. Grows in light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage, thriving across mildly acidic to mildly alkaline pH ranges. Requires full sun and prefers moist conditions.

Description

Edible Uses

The tubers can be eaten raw or cooked. They are rich in starch and can be dried and ground into a powder for use in bread-making. Described as pleasant eating with a flavour somewhat like sweet chestnut, the tubers are fairly small, averaging around 15mm in diameter. When eaten raw, they are typically mixed with white clay — a bite of clay taken after each mouthful to counteract the astringent effect of the raw potato in the mouth.

Traditional Uses

The small tubers are eaten raw, boiled, baked or roasted. They are boiled with clay.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

Stomachic. Raw tubers have been used to treat gastric distress caused by hyperacidity.

Known Hazards

Raw potatoes contain toxic glycoalkaloids, of which the most prevalent are solanine and chaconine. Solanine is found in other plants in the same family, Solanaceae, which includes such plants as deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), henbane (Hyoscyamus niger) and tobacco (Nicotiana spp.), as well as food plants like tomato. These compounds, which protect the potato plant from its predators, are especially concentrated in the aerial parts of the plant. The tubers are low in these toxins, unless they are exposed to light, which makes them go green. Exposure to light, physical damage, and age increase glycoalkaloid content within the tuber. Different potato varieties contain different levels of glycoalkaloids. The 'Lenape' variety, released in 1967, was withdrawn in 1970 as it contained high levels of glycoalkaloids. Since then, breeders of new varieties test for this, sometimes discarding an otherwise promising cultivar. Breeders try to keep glycoalkaloid levels below 200 mg/kg (0.0032 oz/lb). However, when these commercial varieties turn green, their solanine concentrations can go well above this limit, with higher levels in the potato's skin.

Distribution

It is a warm temperate plant.

Where It Grows

Mexico, North America, USA,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain. This plant is a N. American species of potatoes and it can probably be grown in much the same way as potatoes are grown. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes wet or heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acid soil, the tubers are subject to scab on limy soils or those deficient in humus. Yields best on a fertile soil rich in organic matter.

Propagation

Sow seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. Prick seedlings into a fairly rich compost as soon as they are large enough to handle and grow on quickly. Plant out after the last expected frosts. Alternatively, propagate by division: harvest tubers in autumn once frost has cut back the top-growth, store in a cool frost-free place over winter, and replant in April.

Other Uses

None known Special Uses

Other Information

It is a famine food.

Notes

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Also Known As

Wild potato

References (9)

Amer. J. Sci. Arts ser. 2, 22:285. 1856
Beckstrom-Sternberg, Stephen M., and James A. Duke. "The Foodplant Database." http://probe.nalusda.gov:8300/cgi-bin/browse/foodplantdb.(ACEDB version 4.0 - data version July 1994)
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 236
Hedrick, U.P., 1919, (Ed.), Sturtevant's edible plants of the world. p 614
https://www.fireflyforest.com/flowers/category/edible-plants/ Edible Plants – Southeastern Arizona Wildflowers and Plants

Show all 9 references

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 817
Lim, T. K., 2015, Edible Medicinal and Non Medicinal Plants. Volume 9, Modified Stems, Roots, Bulbs. Springer p 78
Moerman, D. F., 2010, Native American Ethnobotany. Timber Press. p 535
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/