Solanum quitoense
Naranjilla
Solanum quitoense, commonly known as the Quito nightshade, is a medicinal plant native to the Andean highlands. Valued in traditional ethnobotany, it possesses diverse bioactive compounds used to treat various ailments. Research continues to explore its potential pharmacological properties, highlighting its significance in both cultural heritage and modern medicine.
- Scientific name: Solanum quitoense
- Family: Solanaceae
- Native range: Asia-Tropical
Taxonomical Classification
This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is classified under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified by the genus Solanum, specifically as the species Solanum quitoense.
| 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 quitoense, is referred to by various common names depending on the language: in Quechua (pam) it is called Naranjilla, while in Ukrainian (udm), French (fr), Russian (ru), and Luxembourgish (lbe), it is known as Наранхилла or Narangille.| Language | Common Name | Source |
|---|---|---|
| pam | Naranjilla | Wikidata |
| udm | Наранхилла | Wikidata |
| fr | Narangille | Wikidata |
| ru | Наранхилла | Wikidata |
| lbe | Наранхилла | Wikidata |
| hu | Naranjilla | Wikidata |
| de | Lulo | Wikidata |
| mrj | Наранхилла | Wikidata |
| cs | lilek quitský | Wikidata |
| lt | Apelsininė kiauliauogė | Wikidata |
Distribution
This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution spanning several distinct tropical regions. Within the Malesia zone, it can be found specifically on the island of Jawa. Its presence extends into Central America, where it is documented in Costa Rica, Nicaragua, and Panamá. Additionally, the species reaches the Caribbean region, specifically inhabiting Cuba. Together, these locations highlight the widespread nature of its natural habitat.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Malesia | Jawa | WCVP |
| Central America | Costa Rica | WCVP |
| Central America | Nicaragua | WCVP |
| Central America | Panamá | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Cuba | WCVP |
| Caribbean | Puerto Rico | WCVP |
| Northern South America | Venezuela | WCVP |
| Western South America | Colombia | WCVP |
| Western South America | Ecuador | WCVP |
| Western South America | Galápagos | WCVP |
Plant Parts
This plant, Solanum quitense, is a versatile species known for its multi-functional uses across its different components. The leaves are highly significant, often being utilized in traditional medicine for their therapeutic properties. Furthermore, because these leaves are edible and nutritious, they are frequently consumed as leafy vegetables in various culinary preparations. In addition to the foliage, the plant also produces fruits that contribute to its overall biological profile. Ultimately, the combination of its medicinal leafy vegetables and its various anatomical structures makes it a unique subject of both botanical and nutritional interest.- Total parts
- 4
- Scientific sources
- 4
| Plant Part | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| leaves | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| leafy vegetables | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| fruits | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Leafy Vegetables | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Chemicals
Solanum quitoense has 3 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include N,N-Diisopropyl(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)amine, hexadecanoic acid, octadecanoic acid.
- Total chemicals
- 3
- Scientific sources
- 3
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| N,N-Diisopropyl(2,2,3,3,3-pentafluoropropyl)amine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| hexadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| octadecanoic acid | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Solanum quitoense has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.
- Total activities
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Antioxidant | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Solanum quitoense has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include infection.
- Total uses
- 1
- Scientific sources
- 1
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| infection | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |