Silver-leaf nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A herb. It keeps growing from year to year. It is covered with a greyish white down. The stems can be 1 m high. They may have a few slender prickles. The leaves are oblong or sword shaped. They are 5-10 cm long. The edges are wavy. The whitish down is thicker under the leaf. The flowers are large and violet or blue. They are 2 cm across. The flowers have 5 petal like lobes that are joined at the tip of each lobe. The first flowers are at the ends then later flowers in the axils of leaves. The stamens are yellow. The fruit are like small tomatoes. They are 1 cm across.
There are about 1400 Solanum species. It contains solasidine used in medicine.
Where it is found
It is a tropical plant. It grows in tropical America. In Pakistan it grows up to 1,800 m altitude. In Argentina it grows between 200-3,300 m above sea level. It can grow in arid places.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Central America, Egypt, India, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Namibia, North Africa, North America, Pakistan, Paraguay, Puerto Rico, South Africa, Southern Africa, South America (country/location of origin), USA, West Indies, Yemen
How it is used for food
The crushed fruit is used to curdle cheese. CAUTION: The fruit are claimed to be poisonous.
Edible parts
Fruit, seeds
How it is grown
Its other names
Local names
Arana gato, Tomato weed, Trompillo, White horse nettle