Solanum americanum
| Solanum americanum | |
| Light: |  |
| Moisture: |  |
| Soil pH: | 5.6-8.4 |
| Height: | 3' |
| Native to: | |
| Edible Rating: |  |
| Tea: | Yes |
 | |
Solanum americanum (common name: american nightshade)
Propagation: Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out after the last expected frosts.
Cultivation: We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though it should be possible to grow it as a spring-sown annual. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus.
Succeeds in most soils[1].
Range: S. America.
Habitat: Rocky or dry open woods, thickets, shores or openings, often on cultivated or waste ground[2].
Edibility: Young leaves - cooked. The leaves contain about 6990mg of beta carotene per 100g[3]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Fruit - cooked. It should be used only when fully ripe[3]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.
Pollinators: Insects
Soil: Can grow in light, medium, and heavy soils.
Drainage: Prefers well drained soil.
Flower Type: Hermaphrodite
Known Hazards: Although no specific mention of the leaves being toxic has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves. The immature fruit is poisonous[3].
Links
References
- ↑ Chittendon, Fred. RHS Dictionary of Plants. Oxford University Press, 1951.
- ↑ Lyndon, Merritt. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co, 1950.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 Crowe, Andrew. Native Edible Plants of New Zealand. Hodder and Stoughton, 1990.