Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Solanales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
melongena
ID:
1030126

Status:
valid

Authors:
L.

Source:
SolanaceaeSource.org

Year:
1753

Citation Micro:
Sp. Pl. 186. 1753.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001029464

Common Names

  • Melongena Nightshade
  • Eggplant Nightshade
  • Eggplant Solanum

Searching for Solanum melongena? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Description

Solanum melongena (also called 'Eggplant', 'Aubergine' and 'Garden Egg', among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to South America. It has a sprawling habit and grows up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are ovate to lanceolate, and its flowers are white or purple. It is found in disturbed habitats, open woodlands, and along roadsides.

Uses & Benefits

Solanum melongena is used as a vegetable and as a source of food for birds and other wildlife.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Solanum melongena is white and star-shaped, with five petals and yellow anthers. The seed is a round, black berry, containing several small, hard seeds. The seedlings are small, with a single pair of cotyledons and a single stem.

Searching for Solanum melongena? Discover Suppliers and Request Free Samples Now!

Find Suppliers & Request Samples

Cultivation and Propagation

Solanum melongena is an annual herbaceous plant in the family Solanaceae. It is grown in warm climates for its edible fruit, commonly known as eggplants. It is typically propagated by seed and can be grown in a variety of soil types. It requires full sun and regular watering. Fertilizer should be applied every few weeks to ensure optimal growth and fruit production.

Where to Find Solanum melongena

Solanum melongena can be found in the Andes Mountains of South America.

Species in the Solanum genus

Solanum aemulans, Solanum blanco-galdosii, Solanum brucheri, Solanum edinense, Solanum michoacanum, Solanum procurrens, Solanum rechei, Solanum sambucinum, Solanum vallis-mexici, Solanum abitaguense, Solanum abollatum, Solanum abortivum, Solanum absconditum, Solanum abutilifolium, Solanum abutiloides, Solanum acanthodapis, Solanum acanthodes, Solanum acaule, Solanum accrescens, Solanum acerifolium, Solanum achorum, Solanum acroglossum, Solanum acropterum, Solanum acroscopicum, Solanum actaeibotrys, Solanum actephilum, Solanum aculeastrum, Solanum aculeatissimum, Solanum acuminatum, Solanum acutilobum, Solanum adenobasis, Solanum adenophorum, Solanum adoense, Solanum adscendens, Solanum adspersum, Solanum aethiopicum, Solanum affine, Solanum africanum, Solanum agnewiorum, Solanum agnoston, Solanum agrarium, Solanum agrimoniifolium, Solanum ajanhuiri, Solanum alatirameum, Solanum albescens, Solanum albicans, Solanum albidum, Solanum albornozii, Solanum albostellatum, Solanum aldabrense,

Species in the Solanaceae family

References

Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'L.' in the authors string.
Solanaceae Source record for this taxon: Based on the initial data import