Solanum anguivi is treated here as a distinct, wild and semi-domesticated species; the many forms derived through cultivation are treated as Solanum aethiopicum.
The name 'Solanum indicum L.' has long been applied to both the African species Solanum anguivi Lam.,and to the Asian species Solanum violaceum Ortega, as well as to various other superficially similar prickly taxa. Due to this historic confusion and the widespread misapplication of the name, the epithet “indicum” has been rejected. It is treated here as a synonym of Solanum violaceum; extensive evidence has demonstrated that Solanum anguivi is not directly related to the Asian Solanum violaceum.

Common Name:

General Information

Solanum anguivi is a shrub with spreading branches growing up to 3 metres tall[]. The stems are often prickly[].
The edible fruits are often gathered from the wild for local use, and can be found in local markets. In some areas, such as Uganda and Côte d’Ivoire, it is a semi-cultivated vegetable[]. With their masses of red berries, the plants are appreciated for their ornamental value[].

Known Hazards

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[].

Botanical References

Range

Tropical Africa - widely spread throughout the continent, but absent from arid areas.

Habitat

Usually found as a weed in gardens or disturbed areas[]. Primitive very prickly and hairy types can be found in forest habitats, ranging from primary to slightly disturbed forest[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	2.50 m
Pollinators	Self, Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Semi-cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant prefers relatively humid localities, being rare in arid ones[].

The seeds are often dispersed by birds in farmers' fields where the plants grow as a weed, but are often not removed by the farmers since the fruits are picked and eaten[].
When grown in gardens, plants are spaced 100 - 150cm apart to allow for vigorous horizontal branching. Spacing may be wider if a few plants are left to grow in a garden among other crops[].
Flowering starts 2 - 3 months after germination. Flowers open early in the morning when it is still dark[].
Fruit harvest starts 10 - 13 weeks after plant establishment. The fruits are ready for picking 2 - 3 weeks after fruit set, i.e. When they have reached a reasonable size but are still immature and green[]. Only the quantity needed for immediate consumption is picked[].
The crop keeps producing for up to a year or more[].
When seeds are required, fruits are allowed to reach full maturity turning orange-red in colour, i.e. About 4 - 6 weeks after fruit set[].
Most plants survive for one rainy season and then die in the dry season, but occasionally large plants of about two years old may be found[].
Since a few plants are normally found scattered in fields of other crops, there are no special management techniques for Solanum anguivi. Occasionally some branches may be pruned to stop the plant from becoming too bushy[].
Cultivation is rarely practised, but the same cultivation techniques as for Solanum aethiopicum may be used[].
The plant is mainly self-pollinated, but out-crossing by bees may take place. The stigma is receptive some hours before the flowers are open and remains receptive for about two days[].

Edible Uses

Fruits - gathered when green and cooked as a vegetable or appetizer[]. The small bitter fruits are an important ingredient of a dish, called 'nkwi'[]. The fruit is a subglobose berry 7 - 18mm in diameter, produced in clusters of up to 20 fruits[].

Medicinal

The fruits are used fresh, or dried and ground to a powder, as medicine against high blood pressure[]. The fruits are chewed as a remedy for coughs and chest pains[].

The roots are used to treat toothache[].

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in situ. Emergence of the seedlings starts about a week after sowing[].

Add a Comment:

If you have any useful information about this plant, please leave a comment. Comments have to be approved before they are shown here.

Name:

Email(Private):

Message:

Captcha: if i have 3 bananas, and i eat them all, how many bananas did i just eat?