Mirchala
Solanum pseudocapsicum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
An erect shrub. It grows 90-120 cm tall. The leaves are 4-8 cm long by 1-2 cm wide. They are narrowly oval. There are 1-3 flowers in a group in the axils of leaves. The flowers are white. The fruit is a berry 8-12 mm across. It is scarlet red and shiny. The seeds are 3 mm wide.
It has anticancer properties.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. In Pakistan it grows up to 2,200 m altitude. In Argentina it grows from sea level to 2,600 m above sea level.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Brazil, Caucasus, Chile, China, Christmas Island, Cuba, East Africa, Ecuador, Georgia, Himalayas, India, Iran, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, NW India, Pakistan, Paraguay, Peru, SE Asia, Slovenia, South Africa, South America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, Uruguay, West Indies, Zimbabwe
How it is used for food
The fruit are used as a colouring agent in various dishes. Caution: It can contain alkaloids such as solanine.
Edible parts
Fruit - colouring
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Jerusalem cherry, Madeirski koralni grm, Madeira winter cherry, Pan-ngayok
Synonyms
Many