Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Solanales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
polyacanthos
ID:
1031173

Status:
valid

Authors:
Lam.

Source:
SolanaceaeSource.org

Year:
1794

Citation Micro:
Tabl. Encycl. 2: 23. 1794

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001030511

Common Names

  • Polyacanthos Nightshade
  • Purple Nightshade
  • Mountain Nightshade

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Description

Solanum polyacanthos (also called African Eggplant, among many other common names) is a perennial shrub native to tropical Africa. It grows up to 1.5 meters in height and has a woody stem with spines. The leaves are ovate to lanceolate, and the flowers are white or purple. It grows in open woodlands, grasslands, and savannas.

Uses & Benefits

Solanum polyacanthos is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a hedge plant. It is also used in traditional medicine for treating various ailments such as fever, cold, cough, and headache.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Solanum polyacanthos is a white, star-shaped flower with yellow anthers. The seeds are small, black and round. The seedlings are small, with oval-shaped, dark green leaves.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Solanum polyacanthos is a perennial plant that can be propagated by seed or cuttings. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. It is drought tolerant and can tolerate a wide range of soil types. It can be grown in containers or in the ground. For best results, water regularly and fertilize monthly.

Where to Find Solanum polyacanthos

Solanum polyacanthos can be found in the tropical and subtropical regions of Mexico, Central America, and 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

Jean-Baptiste de Lamarck (1744-1829): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'Lam.' in the authors string.
Solanaceae Source record for this taxon: Based on the initial data import