Solanaceae FAMILY

Solanum vescum

Edibility

2/5

Medicinal

2/5

Safety & Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[ 293 Title Poisonous Plants of North Carolina Publication Author Website http://www.ces.ncsu.edu/depts/hort/consumer/poison/poison.htm Publisher Year 0 ISBN Description An excellent concise but comprehensive guide to toxic plants that grow in N. Carolina. It lists even those plants that are of very low toxicity, including several well-known food plants such as carrots and potatoes. ]. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[ K Title Plants for a Future Author Ken Fern Description Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips. ].

Botanical Description

Solanum vescum is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 2.00 metres tall. The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and medicine. It is sometimes grown as a hedge.

Habitat & Origin

Origintemperate

Native Rangeeastern Australia - southern Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria, Tasmania

HabitatOpen forests near the coast[ 152 Title Australian Medicinal Plants. Publication Author Lassak. E. V. and McCarthy. T. Publisher New Holland Publishers Year 2001 ISBN 1876334703 Description A very good and readable guide to the subject. ]. Stream banks and dunes, also in heaths and jungles[ 193 Title Wild Food Plants of Australia. Publication Author Low. T. Publisher Angus and Robertson. Year 1989 ISBN 0-207-14383-8 Description Well presented, clear information and good photographs. An interesting read for the casual reader as well as the enthusiast ].