Wild Potato, Fendler's horsenettle, Texan horsenettle

Solanum fendleri

Physical Characteristics

Solanum fendleri is a PERENNIAL. 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

South-western N. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Root Edible Uses: Tubers - raw or cooked[2, 46, 61]. Rich in starch, the tubers can be dried and ground into a powder then used in making bread[257]. A type of potato, it is said to be pleasant eating, tasting somewhat like a sweet chestnut[183]. When eaten raw the potatoes are mixed with clay[161]. One report says that, after every mouthful of raw potato, a person would take a bite f white clay to counteract the unpleasant astringent effect of the potato in the mouth[257]. The roots are fairly small, averaging about 15mm in diameter[2].

Medicinal Uses

Stomachic The raw tubers have been used in the treatment of gastric distress due to hyperacidity[257].

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.