Practical
Plants

Solanum melongena

Eggplant · Aubergine

a vegetable shrub or vine of the Solanum genus in the family Solanaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Solanum
Life cycle
perennial
Woodiness
herbaceous
Height
1 m
Fertility
Insects
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

All green parts of the plant are poisonous[7].

Edible uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[1][8][4][14][15]. The fruit should not be eaten raw[2]. It can be baked, stewed or added to soups, curries etc[6]. The fruit is said to be very nutritious[16]. It is a good source of vitamin C and potassium[10]. The fruit can be up to 20cm long in cultivated plants[9]. Leaves - mixed with rice bran and salt in which 'Daikon' (a form of radish [Raphanus sativa]) roots have been pickled[6]. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

Plant part
Fruit
Preparation
Cooked
Product or use
Vegetable
Plant part
Leaves

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

The aubergine is used mainly as a food crop, but it does also have various medicinal uses that make it a valuable addition to the diet. In particular the fruit helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and is suitable as part of a diet to help regulate high blood pressure[16][13]. The fruit is antihaemorrhoidal and hypotensive[16]. It is also used as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms[11]. It is bruised with vinegar and used as a poultice for cracked nipples, abscesses and haemorrhoids[5][11][13]. The leaves are narcotic[12]. A decoction is applied to discharging sores and internal haemorrhages[11]. A soothing and emollient poultice for the treatment of burns, abscesses, cold sores and similar conditions can be made from the leaves[13]. Aubergine leaves are toxic and should only be used externally[13]. The ashes of the peduncle are used in the treatment of intestinal haemorrhages, piles and toothache[11]. A decoction of the root is astringent[5][11].

Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Plant part
Fruit
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Narcotic
Product or use
Poultice

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Shrub, Herbaceous, Soil surface, Climber

Environment

Range
The origin of this plant is obscure.
Habitat
Not known in the wild.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 9+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
False
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 15°c[9]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. If growing them outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivation

Requires a very warm, sheltered sunny position, though it succeeds in most soils[17]. Requires plenty of moisture[18], though the soil should be well-drained. Requires a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.8[21]. The aubergine is often cultivated, especially in tropical areas, for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties[20][21]. The plant is not frost-hardy, though it can be grown as an annual in temperate zones. It can, however, be difficult to ripen the fruit from outdoor grown plants in cooler temperate climates such as Britain. In this country they are more commonly grown in a warm or cool greenhouse or in a frame. A steady temperature of 25 - 30°c is required during the growing season for the best production of flowers and fruit[21]. A short-lived perennial plant, it is usually cultivated as an annual[19][21]. Plants should be restricted to no more than 4 fruits to make sure they reach a good size and ripen properly[23]. Plants are rarely bothered by pests or diseases[18]. Slugs, snails and caterpillars love this plant[22]. Aubergines grow well with beans, tarragon and thyme[22]. Aromatic plants such as lavender, tansy, marigolds or wormwood help to keep aphids at bay[22]. Grows badly with potatoes, onions and garlic[22]. The fruit can be up to 20cm long in cultivated plants[21].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth.

    ↩

  3. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-12-136450-x

  4. Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0

    ↩

  5. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

    ↩1↩2

  6. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  7. Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-600-35666-3

    ↩

  8. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  9. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2

  10. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993-00-00 ISBN 0-304-34324-2

    ↩

  11. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  12. Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986-00-00

    ↩

  13. Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996-00-00 ISBN 9-780751-303148

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press ISBN 0-89815-041-8

    ↩

  15. Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960-00-00

    ↩

  16. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3

  17. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  18. Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. ()

    ↩1↩2

  19. Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press ISBN 0-12-136450-x (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  20. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  21. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  22. Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. ISBN 0-304-34324-2 (32202/01/01)

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  23. Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber (32202/01/01)

    ↩

  24. [Eggplant] The Official Seed Starting Homepage ()

  25. [Eggplant] Wikipedia (2013/04/25)

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