Often confused with the garden huckleberry, Solanum guineense, this species has smaller deep blue fruits[].

Common Name: Sunberry

General Information

Solanum retroflexum is an erect, annual plant growing around 60cm tall.
The plant is occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit[, ].

Known 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[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

A hybrid of garden origin, possibly Solanum guineense x Solanum villosum.

Habitat

Not known as a wild plant.

Properties

Edibility Rating
Habit	Annual
Height	0.60 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated

Cultivation Details

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[]. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position[].
Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named forms[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Not very appetizing raw, the flavour is improved by cooking[]. We found the fruit to be much nicer than the rather similar S. nigrum guineense. Although smaller, it has a sweeter flavour[]. Still not one of the most appetizing fruits to eat, though[]. The fruit is about 1cm in diameter and is produced in small bunches[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

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.