Solanum trilobatum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A woody climbing shrub. The stems are prickly. The leaves are simple and alternate. The leaves are broadly oval and 4-8 cm long by 3-4 cm wide and have lobes. The flowers are purple with bright yellow stamens. The fruit is a bright red berry when ripe. It is about 1 cm wide.

There are about 1400 Solanum species. The fruit and leaves contain solasodine.

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It can grow in tidal swamps. In Sri Lanka it grows in the dry regions.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Bangladesh, India, Indochina, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, SE Asia, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Vietnam

How it is used for food

The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. They are used as a potherb. The fruit is eaten.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Alarka, Habbusundae-gida, Kudalam, Ma waeng khruea, Mark kheng, Mullumusta, Mundlamuste, Mye-bok-hkayan, Nab-hiankuri, Nittidan, Tellaliste, Thudhuvalai, Thuduvalai, Thuthuvalai keerai, Toothuvilai, Trikun pata, Tudhuvelum, Tutavalam, Uste, Wel-tibbatu

Synonyms

Solanum acetosaefolium Lamk.; Solanum canaranum Miq. ex C. B. Clarke;