This species is closely related to Solanum americanum, differing in part by its larger flowers and anthers, and longer styles, indicating an out-crossing rather than selfing mode of reproduction[]..

Common Name:

General Information

Solanum nigrescens is a sprawling to erect perennial plant with stems that can become more or less woody, especially near the base; it usually grows around 1 - 1.5 metres tall, occasionally reaching 3.5 metres[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, medicine and source of materials.

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

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Range

West & north S. America - Bolivia to Venezuela & Guyana; through C. America & Caribbean to Mexico & southeast N. America (Mississippi to N. Carolina)

Habitat

Wet thickets or forests or in mixed forests or on dry brushy hillsides, sometimes a weed of cultivated fields, at elevations from 1,500 - 3,900 metres[]. Canyons and higher elevations, especially on north-facing slope in Arizona[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Perennial
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Solanum nigrescens has a wide geographical range, from the warm temperate regions of southeastern N. America to the tropics of S. America.

Plants will often flower in their first year from seed[].

Edible Uses

The ripe fruit is edible[, ]. The blackish, globose fruit is around 4 - 9mm in diameter[, ].

Leaves - cooked[]. The raw leaves are said to be poisonous[].

The flowers are used to prepare an aromatic water[].

Medicinal

An infusion of the plant is used to treat allergies,fevers, headaches, whooping cough, colds and flu[]. An infusion or the juice of the plant is used to soothe the nerves, relieve pain and lower fever, it also treats kidney diseases and infections[]. The infusion of the plant (with the exception of the root) is used to induce sweating, and attenuates the effects of neurasthenia[].
The whole plant, macerated, is applied to the forehead to treat sinusitis and headaches[]. An infusion of the plant is used to treat dandruff, the inflammations of wounds and bruises[]. An infusion of the plant is applied as a wash to treat the inflammation caused by mites[].

An infusion of the leaves and the stem is used to calm the nerves[]. The leaves are used to prepare a tea that cures ‘fright’ in children[]. The juice of the leaves is used to treat fevers and bronchitis[]. A cold leaf tea is useful for treating stomach pains and bowel inflammations[]. Cooked leaves are used as a mouth disinfectant after tooth extraction[]
An infusion of the leaves is used as a wash to treat wounds, sores, swelling and skin conditions[]. A poultice of the leaves is applied to injuries bruises and wounds, and applied topically to relieve menstrual cramps[].

An infusion of the leaves and fruits is used to relieve flu[].
The fruit and leaves, in infusion, are used to perform vaginal washes; mixed with a drink (brandy), they are used to treat erysipelas (red spots on the legs), pain and inflammation[] An infusion of the crushed leaves and fruits is used to treat wounds and inflamed sores[].

An infusion of the flowers is drunk as a general stimulant, to induce sweating, to treat the pain of the kidneys and to relieve hang-overs[]. The infusion is drunk to treat the colds, flu, stomach inflammation, diarrhea and to relieve flu symptoms in babies[].
An infusion, applied as a wash, relieves skin infections[]

The fruit is used to treat headaches and, ground and mixed with water, kills intestinal parasites[]. An infusion of the fruit is used to treat flu and colds[]
The macerated fruit is applied to wounds as a healing agent[].

An infusion of the seeds, with lemon, is used to treat fevers[]. Marinated seeds are used to treat swollen bellies[].
The seeds, in poultice, are used to heal wounds[]. An infusion of the macerated seeds is applied as a wash to treat the inflammation caused by mites[].

The plant (part not specified) is used as a narcotic[].

Other Uses

The fruit is used as a dye[].

The plant, in infusion, is used to treat dandruff[].

The plant is used as a disinfectant for the house[].

With the infusion of the plant body baths are performed[].

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a greenhouse. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and grow them on in the greenhouse for at least their first winter. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts.
Cuttings of greenwood in a frame[].