Takafo susu ngwae
Solanum verbascifolium

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can grow for a few years. It grows 1 to 6 m tall. It is slightly woody. It is without thorns. The stems give off a smell. The leaves are long and 8-20 x 5-9 cm. The leaves are white underneath. They are soft and hairy. The flowers are white and on long stalks. The berry is 10-13 mm across. It is round and green but finally turns yellow. It has many seeds. It is something like eggplant.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It occurs widely in the tropics in Asia and the Pacific. It grows in forest and open space. In Yunnan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Benin, China, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Northeastern India, Pacific, Papua New Guinea, SE Asia, Solomon Islands, Thailand, Tonga, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to make a fermented drink. The ripe fruit are eaten cooked. Caution should probably be used with raw fruit.

Edible parts

Fruit, fruit - drink

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Ashetu, Ban-tamaku, Daun sangsara, Daun telinga kerbau, Ka tai, Miqzal' albaol, Sekasap, Takafe, Taungoko, Terong belah, Terong pipit, Terong raya, Terong rimba, Teter

Synonyms

See Solanum erianthum D. Don; This is now considered a synonym of Solanum donianum Walp.;