Mock Tomato, Ethiopian nightshade

Solanum aethiopicum

Physical Characteristics

Solanum aethiopicum is a deciduous Shrub growing to 2.5 m (8ft 2in). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 10 and is frost tender. It is in flower from July to September, and the seeds ripen from August to October. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

The original range is uncertain.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Shoots Edible Uses: Fruit - raw or cooked[299 ]. It can be cooked when immature or when fully ripe[1 , 2 , 46 , 105 , 299 ]. The unripe, bitter fruits are eaten like aubergine (Solanum melongena), typically fried[1438 ]. The fruit can be used like aubergine (Solanum melongena) as a vegetable or as a flavouring for other foods[183 ]. We have only grown this plant once, the fruits were not at all pleasant, with a distinct bitterness[K ]. The large fruits of cultivar-groups Gilo and Kumba are cooked in stews or even eaten raw[317 ]. The orange-red fruit is about 25mm in diameter[200 , 301 ]. Leaves and young shoots[299 ]. The very young leaves are said to be edible when cooked[177 ] though they have a bitter flavour[183 ]. Cooked as spinach[317 ]. The young shoots are stripped of their numerous flowers and buds, and then finely cut for use in soups[301 ]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

Carminative Hypotensive Sedative The roots and fruits are used as a carminative and sedative, and to treat colic and high blood pressure[299 , 617 ]. The crushed and macerated fruits are used as an enema[299 ]. The leaf juice is used as a sedative to treat uterine complaints[299 ]. An extract of the leaves in alcohol is used as a sedative, anti-emetic and to treat tetanus after an abortion[299 ].

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.