Solanum torvum

Solanum torvum Swartz

Common Names: Pea Aubergine, Gully Bean, Shoo Shoo Bush, Plate Bush, Wild Eggplant, Turkey Berry, Susumber

Family: Solanaceae

Habit: Solanum torvum grows as a long-lived perennial to 4 m in height. The leaves are arranged alternately, to 20 cm in length, ovate to oblong, with an acuminate leaf apex and an entire/toothed/undulate/deeply lobed leaf margin. All vegetation is densely stellate pubescent and covered in prickles.

The complete, perfect, actinomorphic flowers are in axillary cymes. The calyx has 5 fused greenish sepals.  The corolla has 5 fused, white petals.  There are 5 stamens with yellow anthers.  The ovary is superior with 2 locules and numerous seeds.  The fruit is a berry that turns yellow at maturity.

Habitat: Solanum torvum grows in Human Altered environments (yards, gardens, farms).

Distribution: Solanum torvum is NOT native to the Lucayan Archipelago but is grown on many of the northern islands.  It is native to the wider Caribbean region.

Medicinal/Cultural/Economic usage: Solanum torvum is not known to be used medicinally in the Lucayan Archipelago.

Solanum torvum is used medicinally and as a food crop in other parts of the Caribbean region and in Asia.