Glossy nightshade
Solanum americanum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A herb. It grows 30-150 cm high. It is an annual plant. The leaves are oval and 5-10 cm long by 2-2.5 cm wide. The leaves vary is shape in different locations. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The fruit is soft and round. It is 5-6 mm across. It is black or red. Also often included as the same as Solanum nigrum. or as Solanum nigrum var. americanum.

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. In Bolivia it grows up to 2000 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 1,200 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places. It is mostly at low altitudes and in humid areas. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, American Samoa, Angola, Argentina, Aruba, Asia, Australia, Bangladesh, Benin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil (country/location of origin), Cameroon, Central Africa, Central African Republic, CAR, Central America (country/location of origin), Chile, China, Colombia, Comoros, Congo DR, Congo R, Cook Islands, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Fiji, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Guatemala, French Guiana, Guianas, Guinea, Guinée, Guinea-Bissau, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kenya, Korea, Laos, Liberia, Madagascar, Malawi, Marquesas, Mauritius, Mexico (country/location of origin), Mozambique, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Nigeria, Norfolk Island, North America (country/location of origin), Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Paraguay, Peru, Rotuma, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Senegal, Sicily, Sierra Leone, Somalia, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), South Sudan, St Lucia, Sudan, Suriname, Taiwan, Tanzania, Tasmania, Tibet, Togo, Tonga, Turkey, Türkiye, Uganda, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Vanuatu, Venezuela, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin), West Papua, Zambia, Zimbabwe

How it is used for food

Caution: The unripe fruit may be poisonous. The fruit and leaves are eaten cooked or in soup. The ripe fruit are eaten. The leaves are eaten as a vegetable.

It is a commercially cultivated vegetable. It is commonly used and is a potentially important vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets. The fruit are especially eaten by children.

Edible parts

Fruit, leaves, vegetable, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds. It can be grown from stem cuttings. Seeds can be put in a nursery and transplanted. They can be transplanted when 15 cm high. A spacing of 30 cm is suitable.

Seedlings grow quickly.

Its other names

Local names

Agouma, Amsi, Am-amsit, Balauran, Booro, Chankanchankota, Coconilla, Djagato-foro, Erva-moura, Faysuk, Gai ge liu, Geni, Guapurucillo, Gu-ju-shu, Hierba mora, Ituzumu, Kach machao, Kainch mainch, Kakae dagu, Kahakaha, Karveloon, Katch match, Killi panka, Kitulu, Ku li ba sa, Long kui, Lumbush, Makao, Malgabai, Malkhovji, Mangkhoi, Mansa, Mboka muchungu, Mgalo, Mohkri, Muxe, Mvanu, Ndumbu, Niu zai cao, Nunununia, Oho phira pro, Okomamang, Paban chinpalo, Pa ding, Papie, Parbotaptoi, Pili muyu, Pitzawakilitl, Popolo, Rubooro, Suludjato, Tau-tau-macho, Ticungo, Tit begun, Uo lei, Yerbamora

Synonyms

Solanum adventitium Polgár; Solanum calvum Bitter; Solanum caribaeum Dunal; Solanum curtipes Bitter; Solanum gollmeri Bitter; Solanum inconspicuum Bitter; ? Solanum inops Dunal; Solanum microtatanthum Bitter; Solanum minutibaccatum Bitter; Solanum minutibaccatum Bitter subsp. curtipedunculatum Bitter; Solanum nigrum L. var. dillenii A. Gray; Solanum nigrum L. var. nodiflorum A. Gray; Solanum nodiflorum Jacq.; Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. var. acuminatum Dunal; Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. var. macrophyllum Dunal pro parte; Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. var. petiolastrum Dunal; Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. var. puberulum Dunal; Solanum oleraceum Dunal; ? Solanum pachystylum Polgár; Solanum photeinocarpum Nak. & Odash.; Solanum sciaphilum Bitter; Solanum tenellum Bitter;