Solanum lyratum

Thunb.

Bai Ying, Hiyodori-Shogo

Solanaceae Edible: Leaves Potential hazards — see below 1,211 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Solanum lyratum, the lyreleaf nightshade, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae, native to China, Taiwan, Vietnam, Cambodia, the Korean Peninsula, and Japan. Usually found in forests, it is also somewhat weedy and can be found on disturbed ground.

Description

A herb that grows as a vine. It has many branches. It grows 3 m tall. It is hairy. The leaves are narrowly oval or lyre shaped and 3-11 cm long by 2-6 cm wide. The base is heart shaped. There can be 3-5 lobes. There can be a few or many flowers in a group near the ends of branches. They are blue to purple or white.

Edible Uses

The leaves are edible when cooked. Caution is advised regarding toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is depurative and febrifuge. A decoction is used in the treatment of leucorrhoea, abscesses, cancer of the oesophagus and stomach, and enlarged thyroid glands. The leaves are boiled with mother's milk to treat nausea in babies. The stems are used medicinally to treat convulsions in infants, while the branches and leaves are used for clearing heat and cooling the blood.

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.

Distribution

It is a tropical and subtropical plant. It grows between 100-2,900 m above sea level in southern China. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Asia, Cambodia, China, Indochina, Japan, Korea, Laos, Myanmar, SE Asia, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, Vietnam,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils.

Propagation

Sow seed in early spring in a warm greenhouse. Once seedlings are large enough to handle, prick them out into individual pots and plant outside after the last expected frosts.