Potato tree, Mullein Nightshade
Solanum erianthum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

An evergreen shrub. It grows 2-8 m high. The leaves are oval and woolly. They are 15-30 cm long. The flowers rotate. The lobes are star shaped. They are white or greenish. The stalks are woolly. The fruit is round and orange when ripe. They are 4 cm across.

There are about 1400 Solanum species. It is used in medicine.

Where it is found

A tropical and subtropical plant. It does well in seasonally moist and dry climates. It will grow on average to poor, well-drained soils. It will grow in full or part sun. In Pakistan it grows up to 1,600 m altitude. It can grow in arid places. It suits hardiness zones 9-11. In Sichuan and Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Andes, Asia (country/location of origin), Australia, Bahamas, Belize, Benin, Cameroon, Caribbean, Central Africa, Central America (country/location of origin), China, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Greater Antilles, Guatemala, Haiti, Himalayas, Honduras, India, Indochina, Jamaica, Malaysia, Mexico, Myanmar, Nepal, Nicaragua, Nigeria, North America, Pacific, Pakistan, Panama, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, Tibet, USA, West Africa, West Indies

How it is used for food

The unripe fruit are used in curries. The leaves are used as a vegetable.

Edible parts

Fruit, caution, leaves

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Daung-satpya, Flannel bush, Kattuchundai, Lava-potato, Paraval sunde, Terung rimba

Synonyms

Solanum verbascifolium auct. non L.; Solanum pubescens Willd.;