Common Name:

General Information

Solanum erythracanthum is a spreading, spiny shrub that can be sparsely or densely branched; it grows up to 1 metre tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use. It is sometimes used to make a living fence.

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

Africa - Madagascar.

Habitat

Disturbed localities, forest margins and roadsides at elevations up to 1,000 metres[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.75 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruit is eaten as an appetizer[].

Medicinal

The dried leaves are smoked as a cigarette to treat asthma[]. A leaf decoction is taken as an antidiuretic[].

A root infusion is taken as a sedative[].

The fruit is eaten as an appetizer[].

Agroforestry Uses:

The plant is used to make a live fence in southern Madagascar[].

Other Uses

None known

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.

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