Solanum mauritianum
Woolly nightshade
Solanum mauritianum, commonly known as the "wild eggplant" or "mountain nightshade," is a versatile medicinal shrub found across tropical regions. Renowned for its bioactive compounds, it is traditionally used to treat inflammation, skin ailments, and digestive issues. This plant serves as a vital resource in ethnobotanical studies and herbalism.
- Scientific name: Solanum mauritianum
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Africa
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further classified under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales, falling into the family Solanaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within the genus Solanum.
| Rank | Classification | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae | WCVP |
| Phylum | Streptophyta | WCVP |
| Class | Equisetopsida | WCVP |
| Subclass | Magnoliidae | WCVP |
| Order | Solanales | WCVP |
| Family | Solanaceae | WCVP |
| Genus | Solanum | WCVP |
Common Names
This plant, known scientifically as Solanum mauritianum, is referred to by various names across different languages and regions. In German, it is called Wollblütiger Nachtschatten, while in Afrikaans, it is known as the Luisboom. In Tamil, the plant is called Pula, and in Chinese, it is identified as 野烟树 (zh) or 野煙樹 (zh-tw).| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| de | Wollblütiger Nachtschatten | Wikidata |
| af | Luisboom | Wikidata |
| to | Pula | Wikidata |
| zh | 野烟树 | Wikidata |
| zh-tw | 野煙樹 | Wikidata |
| ja | ダイオウナスビ | Wikidata |
| he | סולונום | Wikidata |
| ace | Beuraleuen | Wikidata |
| zh-hans | 野烟树 | Wikidata |
| zh-cn | 野烟树 | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning across different oceanic and continental regions. Within the Macaronesian islands, its presence is documented in the Azores, the Canary Islands, and Madeira. Moving toward the African continent, the species can also be found in West Tropical Africa. Specifically, its range extends through the country of Guinea. Additionally, the plant is recorded as being native to Nigeria.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Macaronesia | Azores | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Canary Is. | WCVP |
| Macaronesia | Madeira | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Guinea | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Nigeria | WCVP |
| West Tropical Africa | Sierra Leone | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Cameroon | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | Rwanda | WCVP |
| West-Central Tropical Africa | DR Congo | WCVP |
| East Tropical Africa | Kenya | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, known scientifically as Solanum mauritianum, features a woody stem that serves as the primary structural support for its sprawling or climbing growth habit. The stem is typically robust and can become quite woody as the plant matures, providing the necessary framework to elevate its leaves and flowers toward sunlight. In many varieties, the stem may also exhibit fine hairs or small prickles, which act as a protective mechanism for the plant's vascular system.- Total parts
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Stem | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Solanum mauritianum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include flavonoids, glycosides, phenols, saponins.
- Total chemicals
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| phenols | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| saponins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Solanum mauritianum has 6 reported medicinal uses identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, headache.
- Total uses
- 6
- Scientific sources
- 6
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Klebsiella pneumoniae | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Staphylococcus aureus | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| headache | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| menstrual pains | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |