White sparrow, Indian nightshade
Solanum indicum

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A small shrub. It grows 1-3 m tall. The stems and branches are thorny. They are yellowish-green. The leaves are 8-12 cm long by 6-8 cm wide. The flowers are blue to purple. The fruit are round and 1 cm across. They are red when ripe. The seeds are 2.5 mm wide and kidney shaped.

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

Where it is found

A tropical plant. It grows in open spaces and along roadsides. It is also cultivated. In Yunnan in China it grows between 1100-1450 m above sea level. It grows in secondary forest. It grows in wetlands.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Bangladesh, Central Africa, China, Congo DR, Côte d'Ivoire, East Africa, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Iran, Ivory Coast, Laos, Madagascar, Malaysia, Middle East, Myanmar, Nepal, Northeastern India, Philippines, SE Asia, Sierra Leone, Sri Lanka, West Africa

How it is used for food

The fruit are used to make fermented drink. The ripe fruit are also used to make soup and sauces. They are fried and eaten. They are bitter. The half ripe fruit are used in curries and as a vegetable. The leaves are cooked and eaten as a vegetable. The harvested fruit can be stored for 7 days.

The fruit are sold in markets.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

In India the fruit are available September to December.

Its other names

Local names

Anjangkha neu, Barhanta, Barhanti, Beako, Bhantaki, Bhekuri, Bhot bengena, Bhut-katai, Bipi, Birhatta, Bokoir, Byakura, Cheru-chunda, Cheruvaz-hudhena, Chicharti, Deuri tita, Dorli, Futki begun, Gelo jay-beso, Gnagnan, Gurkamai, Hecho, Hkanjawi, Inoti, Kaju, Kakaminchi, Karanchi, Kandal, Karimulli, Karimullu, Karinchi, Katang-kari, Kazaw-kha, Khamka, Khayan-kazaw, Khungkha-raja, Kochipoka, Kuntainara, Kutuma, Leenguipi, Leipung Khangga, Mak kaen kon, Mangbe, Mawanhuo, Mulli, Panthao khimkhatai, Pappara-mulli, Parta bhetango, Poison berry, Ranvangi, Ringani, Ringni, Samphoh, Samphok, Sam tok, Siqhaq, Soh-ngan, Sotabayom, Tella-mulaka, Terong peuheur, Terong pipit hijau, Terong pipit puteh, Tetbegun, Tibbatu, Tid bhagnri, Tita bhekuri, Titbegun, Tit bhek, Vrihati, Xiha

Synonyms

Possibly now Solanum anguivi Lam.;