Common Name:

General Information

Solanum nudum is an unarmed shrub, sometimes a small tree, growing 2 - 6 metres tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a medicine

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

S. America - Bolivia, Peru, Ecuador, Colombia, Venezuela, northern Brazil; C. America - Panama to central Mexico; Caribbean

Habitat

Secondary forest, often in dense stands; at levels up to 2,500 metres[]. Damp or wet forests or thickets, sometimes in oak-pine forests or wet pine forests, usually at elevations from 1,000 - 2,500 metres or sometimes lower[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	0.00 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Not known

Edible Uses

The fruit is a globose, green berry 8 - 12mm in diameter[]. No reports of edibility have been seen.

Medicinal

The raw leaves, in water, are used to lower fever[].
The leaves are used to treat sores[]. The leaves are used to soothe back pain[].

The plant (part not specified) is used to treat epilepsy[]

Agroforestry Uses:

Solanum nudum is an extremely common shrub and small tree of secondary habitats throughout low elevation Central and South America It often forms dense, monospecific stands in open areas and river banks[]. It has excellent potential for use as a pioneer species for restoring native woodland[].

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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