Pea aubergine
Solanum torvum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A shrub 1.5-3 m high. The leaves are oblong and 10-25 cm long. They can be entire or lobed. They often have prickles beneath the midrib. The young stem and underside of leaves are hairy. The flower is white and 2 cm across. The fruit are round berries, yellow when ripe. They are about 1 cm across. They grow in clusters. The seed are roughly circular and 2-3 mm across.
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. In Papua New Guinea it grows from sea level to 2000 m altitude. In Cambodia it grows between 0 and 1200 m. In Nepal it grows to 1000 m altitude. It grows in open, moist places. It grows in wetlands. In Yunnan in China it grows between 200-1650 m altitude. Photo Brisbane shop. In Yunnan.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Andamans, Angola, Antigua and Barbuda - Antigua, Asia, Australia, Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Benin, Bougainville, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Cambodia, Cameroon, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Congo DR, Costa Rica, Côte d'Ivoire, Cuba (country/location of origin), Dominica, Dominican Republic, East Africa, Ecuador, Egypt, El Salvador, Fiji, French Guiana, Gabon, Gambia, Ghana, Grenada, Guadeloupe, Guatemala, Guinea, Guinée, Guyana, Haiti, Hawaii, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Jamaica, Kiribati, Laos, Madagascar, Malawi, Malaysia, Martinique, Mexico (country/location of origin), Micronesia, Montserrat, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North Africa, North America, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, Puerto Rico (country/location of origin), Rotuma, SE Asia, Senegal, Sierra Leone, Sikkim, Singapore, South America, Sri Lanka, St. Kitts and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and Grenadines, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, Vanuatu, Venezuela, Vietnam, Wallis & Futuna, West Africa, West Indies (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
CAUTION: This plant has been shown to contain poisonous compounds. The green unripe fruit are added to curries in Malaysia. They are eaten in soup in Cambodia. They are also used for chutney. They are eaten as a vegetable. They are bitter. They are mixed with other vegetables. They are pickled in Nepal. They are used in soup in China. They are also dried and preserved. The young shoots are eaten raw or cooked. The fruit and flowers are used as a vegetable. The roots are stewed.
It is a locally popular vegetable. Leaves are sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Leaves, fruit, flowers, vegetable, root
How it is grown
Plants are grown from seed. The seeds need sunlight to germinate.
Plants start flowering 3-4 months after planting. Fruit are picked regularly staring 2 weeks after flowering.
Its other names
Local names
Able-he, Akapu, Akrim, Anjang kha, Anzangkha, Bak-kheng, Ban bihi, Ba'o, Bengar betahet, Bhit-tita, Bhurat, Bihi, Bin, Bintorung, Buah ulam, Byako, Ca nhuong, Ca nong, Chepoka, Choondai kai, Chuko wana, Chundaikai, Devil's-fig, Devil’s Figs, Dieng-soh nonag, Ehiishikhokha, Ge lan biu, Gota begun, Hathubhekuri, Hati bhekuri, Hati-khunthai goukha, Hkawhkam-kaju, Jabadane, Jangali behi, Jungli biya, Kaatuchunta, Kadusunde, Kao, Karinchi, Kashongo, Kattusundai, Kazaw-kha, Kekeisse, Kekeyafe, Kemko, Kha-lang-gyi,Khamchokraling, Khamkha sikam, Khamka sikum, Kharangjeh, Kha-yan-ka-zot, Kheang khah, Khem-khatai-baphangl, Khoith ha, Kodu, Kutumba, Kutunbi, Kwahu nsusuam Lam khamen, Leenguipi, Liang lao, Magwikaju, Mah-kua-puang, Makueyphuong, Mai-mak-hku-sum, Marang, Mequasa, Mo si kuo, Moxiha, Muhahao, Myobyet-khayan, Ngbaku, Okouhe, Pako bhijri, Pako saag, Panthao khimkhatai gidiba, Pea eggplant, Plate-bush, Platebrush, Poka, Pokak, Rakhokha, Ranbaingan, Ranbhatai, Rangaini, Sahor pot, Sam tok, Segau, Shui gie, Si ma ma ha, Sitabangko, Sondaegida, Soonday kai, Sundai, Sundaikai, Sundakkayi, Susumber, Takokak, Tangaiji, Tawkpui, Terong limbang, Terong pasay, Terong pipit puteh, Terong pipit, Terong rembang, Terongan, Terong setan, Teruk rimbong, Theso bongnai, Thesokumbong, Theso-rongman, Thulo bihi, Tit-began, Tiyung satik, Trab put lumnhong, Turkeyberry, Wild brinjal, Yamax-iha
Synonyms
Solanum ferrugineum Jacq.; Solanum ficifolium Ortega; Solanum mayanum Lundell; Solanum stramonifolium Roxb.; Solanum pseudo-saponaceum Bl.; Solanum wightii Miq.;