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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].

Fruit

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Solanum muricatum.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

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
Genus
Solanum
Family
Solanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
9
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
Soil Texture
Soil Water Retention
Environmental Tolerances
    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.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    Herbaceous or Woody
    Life Cycle
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    Pollinators
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type

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    "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. ? 1.01.11.2 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.1 Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable ISBN 0094579202 (1974-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.2 Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications ISBN 0-9628087-0-9 (1990-00-00)
    5. ? 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. ? 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.