Uses
Toxic parts
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.
Edible uses
Notes
Fruit - raw. A juicy, sweet aromatic and very agreeable flavour
[1][2][3], somewhat like a honeydew melon
[4]. The skin of some varieties has a disagreeable flavour
[5]. The fruit contains 35mg vitamin C per 100g, 7% carbohydrates and 92% water
[5]. The fruit should be harvested just before it is fully ripe and will store for several weeks at room temperature
[5]. The fruit is about 10cm long and 6cm wide
[6].
Material uses
There are no material uses listed for Solanum muricatum.
There are no medicinal uses listed for Solanum muricatum.
Ecology
Ecosystem niche/layer
Ecological Functions
Nothing listed.
Forage
Nothing listed.
Shelter
Nothing listed.
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a warm 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. Give the plants some protection from the cold for at least their first winter outdoors.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy. Overwinter in a greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Solanum muricatum. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.
Cultivation
Succeeds in most well-drained soils in a sunny position
[1][5]. If the soil is too fertile fruit production will suffer due to excess vegetative growth
[5]. Requires a pH above 6 in order to avoid disorders such as manganese toxicity or iron deficiency
[5].
Frequently cultivated for its edible fruit in S. America, there are some named varieties[4][5]. Yields of 40 - 60 tonnes per hectare have been achieved[5]. Plants are not very hardy in Britain, being cut to the ground by fairly light frosts. Seedlings show no resistance to frost, established plants are cut back at -3°c[5]. In a warm position and given a good mulch however, the roots can survive the winter and regrow from the base in the spring. Cuttings are exceedingly easy and these can be overwintered in a greenhouse to provide fresh plants for the following year[K]. Plants do not appear to have a sensitivity to day-length[5].
Plants can set fruit parthenocarpically (without fertilization or seed being formed) but self-fertilization or insect fertilization greatly encourages fruiting
[5]. High temperatures, particularly above 30°c, at flowering time can cause the flowers to abort
[5].
Crops
Problems, pests & diseases
Associations & Interactions
There are no interactions listed for Solanum muricatum. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.
Polycultures & Guilds
There are no polycultures listed which include Solanum muricatum.
Descendants
Cultivars
Varieties
None listed.
Subspecies
None listed.
Full Data
This table shows all the data stored for this plant.
Taxonomy
Binomial name
Solanum muricatum
Imported References
Material uses & Functions
Uses
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
None listed.
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.
References
-
? 1.01.11.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
-
? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
-
? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
-
? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
-
? 5.005.015.025.035.045.055.065.075.085.095.105.115.12 Popenoe. H. et al Lost Crops of the Incas National Academy Press ISBN 0-309-04264-X (1990-00-00)
-
? 6.06.16.2 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
"image:Solanum muricatum Flower2.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.