Solanum nigrum

Solanum nigrum, the European black nightshade or simply black nightshade or blackberry nightshade, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae, native to Eurasia and introduced in the Americas, Australasia, and South Africa. Ripe berries and cooked leaves of edible strains are used as food in some locales, and plant parts are used as a traditional medicine. Some other species may also be referred to as "black nightshade". Solanum nigrum has been recorded from deposits of the Paleolithic and Mesolithic era of ancient Britain and it is suggested by the botanist and ecologist Edward Salisbury that it was part of the native flora there before Neolithic agriculture emerged. The plant was known and mentioned by ancient herbalists, including Dioscorides. In 1753, Carl Linnaeus described six varieties of Solanum nigrum in Species Plantarum.

Description

An erect branched smooth herb. It grows about 60-100 cm high. The stems are green and 3 angled. Leaves are pointed at both ends. The leaves are 1.3-9 cm long by 0.5-6 cm wide. They are oblong and taper to the tip. They can have wavy lobes. The inner ring of petals are white and about 8 mm across. The fruit are black, smooth and round. They hang downwards. Some people claim it is possibly now Solanum americanum. The difference seem to be about how shiny the fruit are!

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit is used cooked in preserves, jams, and pies, offering a pleasant musky taste somewhat reminiscent of tomato, though less agreeable, and improving slightly after frost. Only fully ripe fruits should be used, as unripe fruits contain the toxin solanine. The fruit contains approximately 2.5% protein, 0.6% fat, 5.6% carbohydrate, and 1.2% ash, and measures about 9mm in diameter. Young leaves and new shoots can be eaten raw or cooked as a potherb or added to soups — the plant is cultivated as a leaf crop in some regions, though possible toxicity should be noted. Leaf nutritional values per 100g fresh weight: 42 calories; water 86.4%; protein 4g; fat 0.7g; carbohydrate 7.6g; fibre 1.6g; ash 1.7g; calcium 210mg; phosphorus 70mg; iron 5mg; vitamin A 2000mg; thiamine (B1) 0.15mg; riboflavin (B2) 0.15mg; niacin 1.2mg; vitamin C 43mg. These figures represent the median of a wide reported range.

Traditional Uses

The ripe fruit are cooked and eaten. They are also used for soup. They can be stewed or made into pies, jams, preserves, puddings, sauces, pastry and a spicy relish. They are also used for chutney. Ripe fruit are eaten raw. The leaves and young shoots and flowers are eaten cooked. They should be BOILED. The harvested leaves can be stored for 2-3 days. CAUTION: The fruit can contain the alkaloid Solanine probably when unripe. This gets destroyed with boiling.

Medicinal Uses

The whole plant is antiperiodic, antiphlogistic, diaphoretic, diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, narcotic, purgative, and sedative. It is harvested in autumn when flowers and fruit are both present and dried for later use. Use with caution given the plant's noted toxicity. The leaves, stems, and roots are used externally as a poultice or wash for cancerous sores, boils, leucoderma, and wounds. Extracts of the plant are analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, and vasodilatory. The plant has been used in the manufacture of locally analgesic ointments, and the fruit juice has been applied to relieve toothache.

Known Hazards

Solanine levels in S. nigrum have been tested, and the plant is rarely fatal. Solanine poisoning symptoms may occur when immature green fruit or mature leaves are ingested raw. There is typically a delay of 6 to 12 hours after ingestion for symptoms to occur. Initial symptoms of toxicity include fever, sweating, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, confusion, and drowsiness. Death from ingesting large amounts of the plant results from cardiac arrhythmias and respiratory failure. Livestock have also been poisoned from nitrate toxicity by grazing the mature leaves and green berries of S. nigrum. In central Spain, the great bustard (Otis tarda) may act as a seed disperser of European black nightshade (Solanum nigrum). Black nightshade is highly variable, and some advise says to avoid eating the berries unless they are a known edible strain. The toxin levels may also be affected by the plant's growing conditions. The toxins in S. nigrum are most concentrated in the unripe green berries, and immature fruit should be treated as toxic. Most cases of suspected poisoning are due to consumption of leaves or unripe fruit. There are ethnobotanical accounts of S. nigrum young leaves and shoots being boiled as a vegetable with the cooking water being discarded and replaced several times to remove toxins. Solanine is practically insoluble in water and can be destroyed by boiling but not by baking. S. nigrum's leaves may be different from this perspective. Young cooked leaves of Solanum complex sp. are a source of many useful nutrients similar to levels found in spinach. Solanum complex berries have been consumed since ancient times.

Distribution

It is a temperate and tropical climate plant. They occur in waste places at low and medium altitudes throughout the country. It grows from sea level up to high altitudes such as 2700 m in the tropics. It often comes up self sown after fires. It is grown in most tropical countries as a green leafy vegetable. It occurs between 600-3000 m in southern China. In Nepal it grows to about 2900 m altitude. It can grow in areas with an annual rainfall below 500 mm. It can grow in arid places. Tasmania Herbarium. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Where It Grows

Afghanistan, Africa, Angola, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balearic Islands, Balkans, Bangladesh, Belgium, Belize, Benin, Bhutan, Bolivia, Bosnia, Botswana, Britain, British Indian Ocean Terr., BIOT, Bulgaria, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cambodia, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central Africa, Central America, Central Asia, Chad, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Colombia, Congo DR, Corsica, Costa Rica, Crete, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, East Africa, East Timor, Easter Island, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Europe, Fiji, Finland, France, Germany, Ghana, Great Britain, Greece, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Kenya, Korea, Kuwait, Laos, Lesotho, Libya, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mali, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Mongolia, Morocco, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Caledonia, New Zealand, Niger, Nigeria, Niue, North Africa, Northeastern India, Norway, North America, Northeastern India, NW India, Oman, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, PNG, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Rwanda, Samoa, Sao Tome and Principe, Sardinia, Saudi Arabia, Scandinavia, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Slovakia, Socotra, Solomon Islands, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, South Sudan, Spain, Sri Lanka, St Helena, Sudan, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Taiwan, Tajikistan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Thailand, The Netherlands, Tibet, Timor-Leste, Tonga, Tunisia, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, United Arab Emirates, UAE, USA, Vanuatu, Vietnam, West Africa, Yemen, Yugoslavia, Zambia, Zimbabwe,

Cultivation

It is grown from seed. In the tropical highlands areas it is almost always self sown or encouraged by burning grassland but then weeded and harvested as a normal component of the garden. In coastal areas seeds are sown by broadcasting. Good yields can be obtained under moderate fertility levels. A spacing of 40 cm x 40 cm is suitable. Topping encourages branching. It can be grown from cuttings. Plants are also grown in nurseries and transplanting.

Propagation

Sow seed in spring in situ. Seed can also be started in a greenhouse in spring if preferred — prick seedlings out into individual pots when large enough to handle and plant out in late spring.

Other Uses

This species has shown effectiveness in removing PCBs from the soil and detoxifying them. The plant performs this function more effectively when infected with the bacterial parasite Agrobacterium tumefaciens.

Production

Seeds germinate about a week after planting. Leaves can be harvested after about 8-10 weeks by cutting off the last 5 cm of each branch. High yields can be obtained. 5-8 harvests over 6-8 weeks are possible. Solanum nigrum grows rapidly, has high seed production and high viability of seed. This gives it a competitiveness as a weedy species but also means it is one of the first harvested edible greens from a new garden.

Other Information

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is a significant food plant throughout the tropics. A commonly used green vegetable in most areas of Papua New Guinea. It mostly grows wild in the highlands and is cultivated on the coast. Leaves are sold in local markets. The ripe fruit are eaten by children.

Notes

There are about 1400 Solanum species. Demo Chemical composition (fruit, Chinese sample): Protein = 2.51%. Fat = 0.56%. Carbohydrate = 5.66%. Ash 1.19%. Leaves may contain a toxic element. Seeds may be above-average for angiospermous plants in the amino acids Alanine, Phenylalanine, and Threonine. In The Plant List it has this as a synonym of Solanum americanum. It is high in proVitamin A.

Synonyms

Also Known As

Achigoy, Alei, Anamamy dia, Amamamy gasy, Aneb-eddib, Anhling, Anjou, Anjouche, Anjouteh, Awut, Baung-laung-nyo, Bhomolan, Bihi, Budhi ki cheer, Bulbul, Buru diang, Cambe-tamtar, Can den, Changachanga, Chaw, Cheekhruf, Chicharti, Djagato-foro, Ecevlusu, Ensugga enzirugavu, Enswiga, Entakara, Enyorotin, Faysuk, Func'a, Gai ge liu, Gajju chettu, Ganagasopu, Ganga thwfa, Garden huckleberry, Ghati, Giritotu, Gurkamai, Gyi-lee, Hangrani kimkhalai, Heilaopo, He le, Hepisokran, Hor, Hora, Howr-ow, Hundha, Imoato, Inafu, Istifno, Jungali bihi, Kabaiya, Kachchipundu, Kachi, Kachmach, Kachmachu, Kakamachi, Kakmachi, Kakmorich, Kali gedi, Kaligeri, Kalo bihi, Kalobihisag, Kalokamai, Kalo sag, Kalukanberiya, Kamain, Kamanchi, Kambei, Kamoni, Kamuni, Kanguni, Karalkamuni, Karmach, Katmanya, Kawat, Kelampong puyuh, Ker ker, Khalarkoi, Kkamajung, Khatmalu, Khwazebai, Kobai, Koiyan, Kolow, Kopekdomatesi, Ksoiyo, Ku li ba sa, Lere, Leunca, Lisutsa, Long kui, Longkai, Los kochi, Lubi-lubi, Lu lu duc, Magalo, Makai, Makao, Mako, Makoi, Makoy, Malgebai, Manaku, Manathakkali, Manattakkali, Mbiti, Mbutiyin, Mnadzi, Mnavu, Mnesi, Morok maan, Morokpan, Msaka, Msobo, Mudungachapu, Muk-nok, Munatakali, Musungusungu, Mwisung, Nagadyu, Ndulwe, Ngoua, Ninauni, Nkwila, Ociga, Ocokocok, Ocuga, Ocugocuga, Ohuphirapro, Olmomoi, Oro'utu, Osuga, Pa ding, Pako ansua, Papie, Pengo, Phak did nam, Pharchingki, Pichkati, Piludi, Pomocnica crna, Pucuk lumai, Putibegun, Qaqaha, Ranti, Raupeti, Riaungi, Sara korpo, Shanboksiiye, Shogoji kidowe, Styfnos, Suanjiang, Sudagur, Sukitty, Suludjato, Sunberry, Taire kamagi, Tarlauzumcugu, Taujamai, Tekire, Terong meranti, Terong perat, Thotho, Tsepa, Tsepo, Tsepoo, Tsigma, Tulidun, Tunaye, Ujim, Umsobo omhlophe, Umsobosobo, Uzumcuk, Vocherok a-an, Wo lun, Wonderberry, Xaxadi, Xu'naayye, Zherlig ujim

References (285)

• Abbiw, D.K., 1990, Useful Plants of Ghana. West African uses of wild and cultivated plants. Intermediate Technology Publications and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. p 41
• Acharya K. P. and Acharya, R., 2010, Eating from the Wild: Indigenous knowledge on wild edible plants in Parroha VDC of Rupandehi District, Central Nepal. International Journal of Social Forestry. 3(1):28-48
• Acipa, A. et al, 2013, Nutritional Profile of some Selected Food Plants of Otwal and Ngai Counties, Oyam District, Northern Uganda. African Journal or Food, Agriculture, Nutrition and Development. 13(2)
• Addis, G., et al, 2005, Ethnobotanical Study of Edible Wild Plants in Some Selected Districts of Ethiopia. Human Ecology, Vol. 33, No. 1, pp. 83-118
• Agarwal, R. & Chandra, V., 2019, Diversity of wild edible plants in the Mandal-Chopta forest, Uttarakhand. Journal of Medicinal Plants Studies 2019; 7(1): 89-92

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