Plants of Cloudbridge
Solanum verrogeneum (Berengena)
Description:
Herbaceous weedy
plant that thrives in exposed areas like abandoned pasture and
roadsides. Thorny stems green fading to purple, flowers white and
yellow in
purple base. Hairy green-to-orange fruit, large leaves with pointy
edges. About 1-2 meters height.
Natural history: This is a pioneer
species that grows rapidly in disturbed areas. It is shade intolerant
and is not found inside the forest.
Distribution: Found throughout
Cloudbridge in open areas, and under similar conditions in other parts
of Costa Rica.
How
to recognize: Berengena has large fuzzy
leaves that resemble the leaf of the eggplant. The
stems have
sharp spines. The flowers are white and the fruit is green, or orange
when ripe, and hairy.
Uses: The common name is derived from that of the eggplant, which
it resembles. Like the eggplant, it is in the Solanaceae family. The fruit, which must be handled carefully to avoid being
pricked by the sharp hairs, can be made in jam. Berengena is
used by local people in Costa Rica to treat kidney
ailments, such as kidney stones and nephritis. The
medicine is prepared by digging up the root, boiling it, and drinking
it.
Sources and Links:
INBio description
SysTax
and others
Scientific Information:
| Division: |
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| Class: |
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| Order: |
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| Family: |
Solanaceae
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| Species: |
Solanum verrogeneum
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Photo
Identification Guide: Solanum
verrogeneum
(Berengena)
| Leaves. Leaves are
large (about 30 cm) and hairy with spike-like edges.
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| Flowers. The flowers, which
grow close to the stem, are white with yellow insides. They nestle in a
purple leaf-like base. |
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Fruit and Seeds. Fruits are spherical,
about 6-8 cm in diameter, and covered in fine sharp hairs. They are
green, turning orange when ripe. The plant bears fruit in the dry
season (December-March), and perhaps at other times of the year.
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| Form. The plant
grows close to the ground, and the heavy fruit and leaves cause it to
droop over. |
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Cloudbridge: Bridging
a Costa Rican cloud forest