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Useful Tropical Plants

Solanum zanzibarense

Vatke

Solanaceae

+ Synonyms

Solanum alloiophyllum Dammer

Solanum praematurum Dammer

Solanum vagans C.H.Wright

Common Name:

Solanum zanzibarense
New growth
Photograph by: Maria Vorontsova
Creative Commons License
Solanum zanzibarense Solanum zanzibarense

General Information

Solanum zanzibarense is a spiny, sparsely-branched, erect to climbing shrub; it can grow up to 4 metres tall[
435
Title
Solanaceae Source
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://solanaceaesource.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Incredible detail on all the species in Solanum (now also including the Tomatoes which were formerly in Lycopersicon). The site will eventually include all other Genera within the Solanaceae.
].
The plant is sometimes 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[
293
Title
Poisonous Plants of North Carolina
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes.
].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[
K
Title
Plants for a Future
Author
Ken Fern
Description
Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.
].

Botanical References

435
Title
Solanaceae Source
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://solanaceaesource.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Incredible detail on all the species in Solanum (now also including the Tomatoes which were formerly in Lycopersicon). The site will eventually include all other Genera within the Solanaceae.

Range

East tropical Africa - Kenya, Tanzania, Mozambique.

Habitat

Coastal areas in wet or dry forest undergrowth, forest edges, and rocky outcrops, on sand or sandy loam, at elevations from sea level to 700 metres[
435
Title
Solanaceae Source
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://solanaceaesource.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Incredible detail on all the species in Solanum (now also including the Tomatoes which were formerly in Lycopersicon). The site will eventually include all other Genera within the Solanaceae.
].

Properties

Medicinal Rating *  *
HabitClimber
Height3.00 m
Cultivation StatusWild

Cultivation Details


The plant is found in the wild on sandy and sandy-loam soils[
435
Title
Solanaceae Source
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://solanaceaesource.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Incredible detail on all the species in Solanum (now also including the Tomatoes which were formerly in Lycopersicon). The site will eventually include all other Genera within the Solanaceae.
].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

The roots are chewed and the sap is used as a mouthwash against toothache[
435
Title
Solanaceae Source
Publication
 
Author
 
Website
http://solanaceaesource.org/
Publisher
 
Year
0
ISBN
 
Description
Incredible detail on all the species in Solanum (now also including the Tomatoes which were formerly in Lycopersicon). The site will eventually include all other Genera within the Solanaceae.
].

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.
Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2024-10-15. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Solanum+zanzibarense>

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