This species is closely related to Solanum americanum, differing in part by its larger flowers and anthers, and longer styles, indicating an out-crossing rather than selfing mode of reproduction[]..

Common Name:

General Information

Solanum nigrescens is a sprawling to erect perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it usually grows around 1 - 1.5 metres tall, occasionally reaching 3.5 metres[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

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

West & north S. America - Bolivia to Venezuela & Guyana; through C. America & Caribbean to Mexico & southeast N. America (Mississippi to N. Carolina)

Habitat

Wet thickets or forests or in mixed forests or on dry brushy hillsides, sometimes a weed of cultivated fields, at elevations from 1,500 - 3,900 metres[]. Canyons and higher elevations, especially on north-facing slope in Arizona[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	No
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Solanum nigrescens has a wide geographical range, from the warm temperate regions of southeastern N. America to the tropics of S. America.

Plants will often flower in their first year from seed[].

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit is edible[, ]. The blackish, globose fruit is around 4 - 9mm in diameter[, ].

Leaves - cooked[]. The raw leaves are said to be poisonous[].

The flowers are used to prepare an aromatic water[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the plant is used to treat allergies,fevers, headaches, whooping cough, colds and flu[]. An infusion or the juice of the plant is used to soothe the nerves, relieve pain and lower fever, it also treats kidney diseases and infections[]. The infusion of the plant (with the exception of the root) is used to induce sweating, and attenuates the effects of neurasthenia[].
The whole plant, macerated, is applied to the forehead to treat sinusitis and headaches[]. An infusion of the plant is used to treat dandruff, the inflammations of wounds and bruises[]. An infusion of the plant is applied as a wash to treat the inflammation caused by mites[].

An infusion of the leaves and the stem is used to calm the nerves[]. The leaves are used to prepare a tea that cures ‘fright’ in children[]. The juice of the leaves is used to treat fevers and bronchitis[]. A cold leaf tea is useful for treating stomach pains and bowel inflammations[]. Cooked leaves are used as a mouth disinfectant after tooth extraction[]
An infusion of the leaves is used as a wash to treat wounds, sores, swelling and skin conditions[]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to injuries bruises and wounds, and applied topically to relieve menstrual cramps[].

An infusion of the leaves and fruits is used to relieve flu[].
The fruit and leaves, in infusion, are used to perform vaginal washes; mixed with a drink (brandy), they are used to treat erysipelas (red spots on the legs), pain and inflammation[] An infusion of the crushed leaves and fruits is used to treat wounds and inflamed sores[].

An infusion of the flowers is drunk as a general stimulant, to induce sweating, to treat the pain of the kidneys and to relieve hang-overs[]. The infusion is drunk to treat the colds, flu, stomach inflammation, diarrhea and to relieve flu symptoms in babies[].
An infusion, applied as a wash, relieves skin infections[]

The fruit is used to treat headaches and, ground and mixed with water, kills intestinal parasites[]. An infusion of the fruit is used to treat flu and colds[]
The macerated fruit is applied to wounds as a healing agent[].

An infusion of the seeds, with lemon, is used to treat fevers[]. Marinated seeds are used to treat swollen bellies[].
The seeds, in poultice, are used to heal wounds[]. An infusion of the macerated seeds is applied as a wash to treat the inflammation caused by mites[].

The plant (part not specified) is used as a narcotic[].

Other Uses

The fruit is used as a dye[].

The plant, in infusion, is used to treat dandruff[].

The plant is used as a disinfectant for the house[].

With the infusion of the plant body baths are performed[].

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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