Common Name:

General Information

Solanum taitense is a usually unarmed, woody herb or small shrub, usually erect but sometimes ascending. It can grow from 30 - 150cm tall[]. It is frequently branched; the young stems are short, straight and erect[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local medicinal use.

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 - Kenya, northern Tanzania.

Habitat

Bushland and grassland, on sandy soil or black clay soil, at elevations from sea level to 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Medicinal Rating
Habit	Shrub
Height	1.20 m
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

The plant is found in the wild on sandy to clay soils[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are chewed and the sap is used as a mouthwash against toothache[]. A decoction is sieved and drunk as a cure for arthritis, malaria, typhoid and stomach-ache[].

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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