Common Name:

General Information

Solanum ellipticum is a sprawling, prickly, herbaceous perennial plant forming a clump about 1 metre in diameter[]. The branches and petioles are sparsely to densely scattered with prickles[, ].
The fruits are sometimes gathered from the wild for local consumption. The plant has potential for use as an edible ornamental in arid gardens[].

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

Australia - all mainland states except Victoria.

Habitat

Heavy clay and sandy soils[]. Usually grows in rocky areas, often in open forest but also found in vine thickets and monsoon forest at elevations from 200 - 600 metres in Queensland[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	0.50 m
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant mainly of the warm temperate to subtropical zones, just entering the tropics in northern Australia.
Prefers a position in full sun[]. Plants are drought tolerant - top growth dies off during extended dry periods but the plant resprouts after good rains[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The fruit is a berry, 15 - 20mm in diameter., pale yellow-green, often tinged purple[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - the flesh of the fruit must be completely removed before sowing because it contains germination inhibitors[].
Cuttings.

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