Solanum africanum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A scrambling shrub. It grows 30 cm to 3 m and the stems are square when young. They can develop roots at the nodes. The leaves are leathery and soft hairy. They are oval or angled and 4-6 cm long. The flowers are in groups at the top of the plant. They are white, mauve or purple. They are 1 cm across. The fruit are purple to black berries. They are 5-15 mm across

Where it is found

It is a subtropical plant. It grows in the bush in coastal sand dunes.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, South Africa, Southern Africa

How it is used for food

The ripe fruit are eaten.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Nasgal, Nastergal

Synonyms

Solanum aggerum Dunal; Solanum crassifolium Lam.; Solanum longipes Dunal; Solanum triangulare Lam.; and others