Chinese scarlet eggplant

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Chinese scarlet eggplant
• kumba
• scarlet eggplant
• shum
• tomato-fruit eggplant

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum aethiopicum var. paaschenianum
• Pseudocapsicum torulosum
• Solanum hybridum
• Lycopersicon aethiopicum
• Solanum aethiopicum var. aculeatum
• Solanum aethiopicum var. armatum
• Solanum aethiopicum var. giorgii
• Solanum giorgii
• Solanum aethiopicum var. inerme
• Solanum aethiopicum var. integrifolium
• Solanum integrifolium
• Solanum aethiopicum var. modicelobatum
• Solanum paaschenianum
• Solanum geminifolium
• Solanum ambrosiacum
• Solanum brieyi
• Solanum elskensii
• Solanum indicum subsp. ambifarium
• Solanum kupperi
• Solanum lobelii
• Solanum lusitanicum
• Solanum gilo
• Solanum gilo subsp. megalacanthum
• Solanum gilo var. pierreanum
• Solanum willdenowii
• Solanum texanum
• Solanum gilo subsp. monteiroi
• Solanum monteiroi
• Solanum gilo var. ellipsoideum
• Solanum pierreanum
• Solanum worsleyi
• Solanum zuccagnianum
• Solanum zuccagnianum var. allogonum
• Solanum naumannii
• Solanum olivare
• Solanum gilo var. sparseaculeatum
• Solanum worsleyi
• Solanum ovatifolium
• Solanum poggei
• Solanum pseudomelongena
• Solanum gilo var. erectifructum
• Solanum racemiflorum
• Solanum sparsespinosum
• Solanum subsessile
• Solanum sudanense

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae, it is classified under the genus Solanum. Specifically, this medicinal species is identified by its scientific name, Solanum aethiopicum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide geographical range spanning across several regions of the African continent. In Northern Africa, its presence is specifically documented within the country of Egypt. Moving toward the West Tropical Africa region, the species can be found inhabiting the landscapes of Benin. It is also distributed throughout Burkina and Ghana, further establishing its footprint in the western tropics. Finally, the plant's range extends into the territory of Guinea, completing its diverse regional distribution.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Solanum aethiopicum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, demonstrating a variable growth pattern that allows it to persist across multiple seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically classified under both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte growth forms, its regenerative buds are elevated above the ground level, providing structural stability and resilience. This species exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to environmental cues or seasonal changes.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum aethiopicum is characterized by a growth form that manifests as both a shrub and a herb, typically exhibiting a non-woody structure. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of its physical stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 1.22 meters, with a mean plant height recorded at 2.5 meters depending on environmental conditions. Furthermore, the plant is self-supporting in its growth habit rather than being a climber.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.219214826 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum aethiopicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which involves the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO during the Calvin cycle. As a member of the Solanaceae family, its metabolic processes are optimized for temperate to tropical environments where moisture and light availability support standard C3 carbon assimilation. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria, such as rhizobia, required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms; instead, it relies on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil to satisfy its nitrogen requirements for protein synthesis and enzymatic functions.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum aethiopicum is driven by biotic pollination syndromes, primarily utilizing insects for pollen transfer. Specifically, the plant relies on bees as key pollinators to facilitate the fertilization process. While it is capable of cross-pollination via these insects, self-fertilization is also present, ensuring reproductive success under various environmental conditions. The resulting seeds are relatively small, with a mean seed mass of 0.00265 g. The individual seed size varies within a specific range, with a minimum mass of 0.0017 g and a maximum mass reaching 0.0036 g.

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

bee

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Seed mass max:

0.0036 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00265 g

Seed mass min:

0.0017 g

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum aethiopicum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit, leaf.

Fruit

1. Journal of food biochemistry
2. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Leaf

1. Metabolism open

Chemicals

Solanum aethiopicum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Borassoside E, CHLOROGENIC ACID, Dicaffeoyl quinic acid, Flavonoids, Phenols.

Borassoside E

1. Scientific reports

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Scientific reports

Dicaffeoyl quinic acid

1. Scientific reports

Flavonoids

1. Metabolism open

Phenols

1. Metabolism open

SEA

1. Scientific reports

Sec

1. Scientific reports

Tannins

1. Metabolism open

Activities

Solanum aethiopicum has 3 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antidiabetic, Antioxidant, Antibacterial.

Antidiabetic

1. Nutrients
2. Metabolism open

Antioxidant

1. Nutrients
2. Metabolism open

Antibacterial

1. Nutrients

Conditions

Solanum aethiopicum has 7 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include antidiabetic, antioxidant, insulin resistance, lipid metabolism, obesity.

Antidiabetic

1. Nutrients

Antioxidant

1. Nutrients

Insulin resistance

1. Metabolism open

Lipid metabolism

1. Metabolism open

Obesity

1. Metabolism open

Oxidative stress

1. Metabolism open

Type 2 diabetes

1. Metabolism open

Preparations

Solanum aethiopicum has 3 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, aqueous extracts, glycoalkaloid extracts of berries.

Aqueous extract

1. Metabolism open

Aqueous extracts

1. Metabolism open

Glycoalkaloid extracts of berries

1. Phytotherapy research : PTR