Desert raisin, Potato bush, Velvet potato bush, Wild gooseberry, Ararnt
Solanum ellipticum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A prickly herb. It keeps growing from year to year and develops woody stems. It grows 0.9-2 m high. It spreads 0.9-2 m wide. The plant is covered with felt like hairs. The stems have fine, sharp, yellow prickles. These are 6 mm long. The leaves are oval shaped. The flowers are purple. They occur in groups or 3-7. The fruit is round and 1.5-2 cm across. These are yellow-green and turn purple when ripe. There are 2 compartments on the fruit.

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It is native to inland Australia. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11.

Countries/locations it is found in

Australia (country/location of origin)

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are cooked and eaten. They are also eaten raw.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Dulwarwarun, Kulypurpa, Tawal-tawalpa, Ululka, Wangki, Wunki

Synonyms

Solanum biflorum R. Br.; Solanum cleistogamon Symon; Solanum dianthophorum Dunal; and others