Aubergine, Eggplant
Solanum melongena
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Solanum melongena is a PERENNIAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9 and is frost tender. It is in leaf from May to October, in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
Height (m): 1
Where it is found
Not known in the wild.
The origin of this plant is obscure.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 3
Fruit - raw or cooked. The fruit should not be eaten raw. It can be baked, stewed or added to soups, curries etc. The fruit is said to be very nutritious. It is a good source of vitamin C and potassium. The fruit can be up to 20cm long in cultivated plants. Leaves - mixed with rice bran and salt in which 'Daikon' (a form of radish [Raphanus sativa]) roots have been pickled. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.
Medicine
Rating: 2
The aubergine is used mainly as a food crop, but it does also have various medicinal uses that make it a valuable addition to the diet. In particular the fruit helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and is suitable as part of a diet to help regulate high blood pressure. The fruit is antihaemorrhoidal and hypotensive. It is also used as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms. It is bruised with vinegar and used as a poultice for cracked nipples, abscesses and haemorrhoids. The leaves are narcotic. A decoction is applied to discharging sores and internal haemorrhages. A soothing and emollient poultice for the treatment of burns, abscesses, cold sores and similar conditions can be made from the leaves. Aubergine leaves are toxic and should only be used externally. The ashes of the peduncle are used in the treatment of intestinal haemorrhages, piles and toothache. A decoction of the root is astringent.
Anticholesterolemic: Prevents the build up of cholesterol.
Antidote: Counters poisoning.
Astringent: Produces contraction in living tissue, reducing the flow of secretions and discharges of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
Narcotic: Relieves pain, induces drowsiness and gives a sense of well-being.
Poultice: A moist, usually warm or hot, mass of plant material applied to the skin in the treatment of burns etc.
Vitamin C: Plants good for their vitamin C content
Other
Rating:
How it is grown
Requires a very warm, sheltered sunny position, though it succeeds in most soils. Requires plenty of moisture, though the soil should be well-drained. Requires a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.8. The aubergine is often cultivated, especially in tropical areas, for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties. The plant is not frost-hardy, though it can be grown as an annual in temperate zones. It can, however, be difficult to ripen the fruit from outdoor grown plants in cooler temperate climates such as Britain. In this country they are more commonly grown in a warm or cool greenhouse or in a frame. A steady temperature of 25 - 30°c is required during the growing season for the best production of flowers and fruit. A short-lived perennial plant, it is usually cultivated as an annual. Plants should be restricted to no more than 4 fruits to make sure they reach a good size and ripen properly. Plants are rarely bothered by pests or diseases. Slugs, snails and caterpillars love this plant. Aubergines grow well with beans, tarragon and thyme. Aromatic plants such as lavender, tansy, marigolds or wormwood help to keep aphids at bay. Grows badly with potatoes, onions and garlic.
Propagating it: Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 15°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. If growing them outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.
Best place to grow: Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Perennial
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Moist
Things to keep in mind
All green parts of the plant are poisonous.