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<big>''[[Solanum catombelense]]'' Peyr.</big>
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{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Solanum catombelense'' (PROTA)}}
:Protologue: Sitzungsber. Akad. Wiss. Math.-Naturwiss. Wien 38: 576 (1860).
:Family: Solanaceae
== Origin and geographic distribution ==
Mature fruits are considered edible. Leaves and stems are eaten as a vegetable.
== Botany Description ==
Perennial herb, erect or spreading up to 120 cm tall; stems stellate-hairy, sparsely covered with prickles. Leaves alternate, simple; stipules absent; petiole 1–3 cm long; blade oblong, 1.5–8.5 cm × 1–4.5 cm, base rounded or cuneate, apex obtuse or rounded, margin entire or more or less wavy to few-lobed, prickles often present on main veins, densely soft-hairy on both sides. Inflorescence a cyme, inserted above the leaf axil, 2–3.5 cm long, 2–7(–10)-flowered. Flowers bisexual, regular, (4–)5(–6)-merous; calyx bell- or cup-shaped, densely soft hairy, lobes unequal, ovate to linear-lanceolate, up to 3.5(–5) mm long, obtuse, recurved; corolla rotate to stellate, up to 10 mm in diameter, white to purple or violet; stamens alternating with corolla lobes, filaments c. 0.5 mm long, anthers up to 4.5 mm long, opening with apical pores; ovary superior, hairy on upper half, style hairy, 4.5–7.5 mm long. Fruit a globose berry 5–12 mm in diameter, glabrous, yellow, orange, red or blackish when ripe, many-seeded. Seeds ovoid, 2.5–3.5 mm in diameter, pale yellow to brown. Seedling with epigeal germination; cotyledons thin, leafy.
=== ''Solanum burchellii'' ===
A root infusion of ''[[Solanum burchellii]]'' is drunk to cure venereal diseases in Namibia.
=== ''Solanum tomentosum'' ===
''[[Solanum tomentosum]]'' is restricted to South Africa and a decoction of the roots is drunk to cure syphilis.
=== ''Solanum glabratum'' ===
''[[Solanum glabratum]]'' Dunal (synonym: ''Solanum sepicula'' Dunal) occurs in Ethiopia, Somalia and Saudi Arabia. In Ethiopia the roots of ''Solanum glabratum'' are crushed, mixed with water and given as a drink to cattle suffering from anthrax.
Of the species restricted to southern Africa, 3 have documented medicinal uses in Namibia: ''Solanum capense'' L., ''Solanum dinteri'' Bitter and ''Solanum namaquense'' Dammer.
== Growth and development =''Solanum capense'' = ==In South Africa the pulverized roots of ''[[Solanum capense]]'' are applied for toothache and milk boiled with pounded roots is drunk to cure urinary tract problems. Leaf pulp is applied to ulcers and leaf sap to inflamed eyes. Squashed fruits are applied to warts and skin affected by ringworm.
=== ''Solanum dinteri'' ===
The roots of ''[[Solanum dinteri]]'' are taken for stomach complaints, a root decoction is drunk to cure venereal diseases and crushed roots are applied externally to relieve pain.
=== ''Solanum namaquense'' ===
A root decoction of ''[[Solanum namaquense]]'' is used as a purgative and for liver, gall bladder and stomach complaints. The roots enter in preparations to treat venereal diseases, urinary tract problems and dysmenorrhoea. Fruits are squashed on lips and tongue to treat fever blisters.
== Ecology ==
''Solanum catombelense'' occurs in many vegetation types: coastal forest, woodland, wooded grassland, along rivers, on rocky outcrops and in overgrazed and disturbed localities, from sea-level up to 1300 m altitude.
== Genetic resources ==
== Author(s) ==
* C.H. Bosch , PROTA Network Office Europe, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 341, 6700 AH Wageningen, Netherlands
== Correct citation of this article ==
Bosch, C.H., 2008. '''Solanum catombelense''' Peyr. [Internet] Record from PROTA4U. In: Schmelzer, G.H. & Gurib-Fakim, A. (Editors). PROTA (Plant Resources of Tropical Africa / Ressources végétales de l’Afrique tropicale), Wageningen, Netherlands. <http://www.prota4u.org/search.asp>. Accessed {{CURRENTDAY}} {{CURRENTMONTHNAME}} {{CURRENTYEAR}}.
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[[Category:PROTA prov]][[Category:Medicinal plants (PROTA)]]
