Jamaica nightshade
Solanum jamaicense

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A small thorny shrub. It grows 1 m tall. It is loosely spreading. It has a yellow coating. The flowers are white. The fruit are round and bright red.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. It grows in the humid lowlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Amazon, Belize, Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greater Antilles, Guyana, Jamaica, Lesser Antilles, Mexico, Nicaragua, North America, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, South America, Trinidad-Tobago, USA, Venezuela, West Indies, Windward Is.

How it is used for food

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ajicon, Coconilla con espinas, Friega plato

Synonyms

Solanum acanthifolium Leman ex Dunal; Solanum brevipilosum Dunal; and several others