Solanum terminale
Forsk.
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Description
A woody climber. It grows 3-15 m long. The branches are hairy. The leaves are single. The leaf blade is 2-14 cm long by 1-7 cm wide. There are many flowers in a head. The fruit are orange or red and 5-10 mm across.
Edible Uses
The leaves are eaten.
Medicinal Uses
A leaf extract is drunk as an abortion-inducing drug and in Rwanda and Uganda it is drunk to induce labour in childbirth. A maceration of the leaves is used as a body wash, and also taken orally, in the treatment of kwashiorkor. A root decoction is filtered and applied as an enema as a mild purgative for children. A root extract is drunk as a stimulant and to induce sweating.
Known Hazards
The fruits are poisonous and have been used in the Central African Republic as a criminal poison. 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
A tropical plant. It grows at the edges of forests and along streams and in rocky places.
Where It Grows
Africa, Angola, Arabia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Comoros, Congo, East Africa, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Malawi, Middle East, Mozambique, Rwanda, Sao Tome and Principe, South Africa, Southern Africa, Swaziland, West Africa, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe,
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 stems are used as tying material when constructing fences and traditional buildings.
Notes
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
Synonyms
References (5)
- Fowler, D. G., 2007, Zambian Plants: Their Vernacular Names and Uses. Kew. p 85
- Jardin, C., 1970, List of Foods Used In Africa, FAO Nutrition Information Document Series No 2.p 103
- Martin, F.W. & Ruberte, R.M., 1979, Edible Leaves of the Tropics. Antillian College Press, Mayaguez, Puerto Rico. p 220
- Terra, G.J.A., 1973, Tropical Vegetables. Communication 54e Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam, p 73
- World Checklist of Useful Plant Species 2020. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
