Brazilian nightshade
Solanum seaforthianum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A climbing vine. It grows to 3-5 m long. It is hairless and evergreen. The leaves are produced alternately along the vine and are often divided into leaflets. The leaves are 10-20 cm long and they can be entire or with 6-9 lobes or leaflets. The flowers are purple and 2 cm across. They develop in large clusters 15 cm across. The fruit are bright red berries. They are oval in shape and 6-10 mm across.

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It is native to tropical America. It needs temperatures above 7-10°C. It suits hardiness zones 10-12. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, Belize, Botswana, Brazil, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Cuba, Cyprus, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Eswatini, Europe, Guatemala, French Guiana, Ghana, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indonesia, Jamaica, Kenya, Lebanon, Leeward Is., Lesser Antilles, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Mauritius, Mexico, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, New Caledonia, Nicaragua, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Puerto Rico, Reunion, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America, Swaziland, Syria, Taiwan, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad-Tobago, Uganda, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, West Indies (country/location of origin), Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

CAUTION. The berries have been reported as poisonous due to the chemical alkaloid solasodine.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

It needs a support to climb over.

Its other names

Local names

Italian Jasmine, Potato creeper, Purple potato-vine, St Vincent's lilac

Synonyms

Solanum botryophorum Ridl.; and others