Yellow-berried nightshade
Solanum surattense

Family: Solanaceae

What it is like

A prickly herb. It lies along the ground. The prickles are 15 mm long and yellow. The stems and branches can have hairs. The leaves are 3-8 cm long by 3-5 cm wide. The are oval and deeply divided into unequal lobes. There are 2-4 purple flowers together. The fruit is a round berry 1-2 cm wide. The seeds are disk shaped.

There are about 1400 Solanum species.

Where it is found

It is a tropical plant. In Pakistan it grows up to 1,300 m altitude. In Sri Lanka it grows up to 800 m above sea level.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Asia, Australia, India, Nepal, North Africa, Northeastern India, Pacific, Pakistan, Polynesia, Sri Lanka

How it is used for food

The fruit are cooked and used in curries. The seeds are also eaten. The fruit are also eaten raw. The leaves are eaten as a green vegetable. The berries can be sun-dried and stored.

Edible parts

Leaves, fruit

How it is grown

The plants are grown from seed. It is best to put them in a nursery and then transplant them when 12-15 cm tall.

Harvesting can start 3 months after planting and then continue to 12 months.

Its other names

Local names

Ankranti, Bhatkhataya, Bheji-begun, Bhoyaringani, Bhuiringani, Buiringi, Charhenti, Choti kandiari, Cundung katrie, Ela-batu, Kandankattiri, Kanderi, Kandiari walh, Kandyali, Kantakari, Kantankathiri, Katai, Kateli, Kundiari, Mahori, Maraghone, Markondaye, Melamulaka, Mokri, Momoli, Neeli khurd katai, Nella molunga, Nidigadhika, Pinnamulaka, Rangaini janum, Rengnie, Ringani, Speenazghai, Toko bhijri, Vaddu vattu, Vankuda, Warumba

Synonyms

Solanum diffusum Roxb.; Solaum jacquini Willd.; Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & Wendl.;