Solanum virginianum

Yellow-berried nightshade

Solanum virginianum, commonly known as the Virginia Nightshade, is a medicinal herb native to specific regions. Renowned for its diverse phytochemical profile, this plant offers significant therapeutic potential. Historically utilized in traditional medicine, it serves as a vital subject for pharmacological research into its bioactive compounds and healing properties.

  • Scientific name: Solanum virginianum
  • Family: Solanaceae
  • Native range: Africa

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales, falling into the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic identity is defined by 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 virginianum, is referred to by various common names across different languages and regions. In Hindi, it is called भटकटैया (bhatkataiya), while in German, it is known as Thai-Aubergine. In Gujarati, the plant is identified as ભોંયરીંગણી (bhonyaringani), and in Vietnamese, it is called Cà pháo. Additionally, in Thai, it is commonly known as มะเขือขื่น (ma khuea khuen).
Language Common Name Source
hi भटकटैया Wikidata
de Thai-Aubergine Wikidata
gu ભોંયરીંગણી Wikidata
vi Cà pháo Wikidata
th มะเขือขื่น Wikidata
ml കണ്ടകാരിച്ചുണ്ട Wikidata
zh 黄果茄 Wikidata
ne कन्टकारी Wikidata
ta கண்டங்கத்தரி Wikidata
bn কন্টিকারি Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range stretching across several distinct regions. In the Western Indian Ocean, its presence is noted in both Mauritius and Madagascar. Moving toward Western Asia, the species can be found in the territories of Afghanistan and Iran. Additionally, its distribution extends into the Arabian Peninsula, specifically covering the Gulf States. These varied locations highlight the wide environmental adaptability of Solanum virginianum.

Region Area Source
Western Indian Ocean Mauritius WCVP
Western Indian Ocean Madagascar WCVP
Western Asia Afghanistan WCVP
Western Asia Iran WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Gulf States WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Oman WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Saudi Arabia WCVP
Arabian Peninsula Yemen WCVP
China China South-Central WCVP
Indian Subcontinent Assam WCVP

Plant Parts

This plant, known as Solanum virginianum, is a medicinal species where various components can be utilized for therapeutic purposes. While the whole plant is often studied for its complex chemical profile, specific attention is frequently paid to the reproductive structures. The fruit serves as a key morphological feature, and when collected in larger quantities, these fruits contain the seeds essential for propagation. Each individual seed carries the genetic potential for new growth, making the study of the entire lifecycle—from the whole plant to its mature dispersal stage—vital for understanding its medicinal properties.
Total parts
14
Scientific sources
21
Plant Part Sources Confidence
fruits 4 ★★☆☆☆
fruit 4 ★★☆☆☆
whole plant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
seeds 1 ★☆☆☆☆
seed 1 ★☆☆☆☆
rhizomes 1 ★☆☆☆☆
powdered fruit material 1 ★☆☆☆☆
parts 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf tissues 1 ★☆☆☆☆
leaf extract 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Chemicals

Solanum virginianum has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Solasodine, diosgenin, prosapogenin B, solasodine.

Total chemicals
4
Scientific sources
4

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
Solasodine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
diosgenin 1 ★☆☆☆☆
prosapogenin B 1 ★☆☆☆☆
solasodine 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Solanum virginianum has 9 reported activities identified across 15 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective, Antimicrobial, Antiallergic, Anticancer.

Total activities
9
Scientific sources
15

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antioxidant 4 ★★☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 3 ★★☆☆☆
Antimicrobial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antiallergic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antidiabetic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antispasmodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Diuretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Solanum virginianum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include tuberculosis.

Total uses
1
Scientific sources
1

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
tuberculosis 1 ★☆☆☆☆