Categories: Solanaceae

Forest bitterberry (Solanum anguivi, Tabl. Encycl. 2: 23 (1794))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: Lam.

Bibliography: Tabl. Encycl. 2: 23 (1794)

Year: 1794

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Solanum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Trop. & S. Africa, Comoros, Madagascar

Description

Forest bitterberry, known scientifically as Solanum anguivi, belongs to the Solanaceae family. This plant species was first described in the botanical literature “Tabl. Encycl.” in the year 1794 by the author Lamarck, abbreviated as Lam.

This plant has a significant range, spanning across tropical and southern regions of Africa, as well as the islands of Comoros and Madagascar. The Forest bitterberry thrives in these diverse ecosystems, adapting to the tropical climates and varying altitudes found within these regions.

The Forest bitterberry is notable for its ecological versatility and presence in various habitats. It is often found in both wild and disturbed areas, suggesting a resilient nature capable of enduring different environmental conditions. This plant is an important component of the natural flora in its native regions, contributing to the biodiversity and ecological balance of these ecosystems.

In terms of morphology, the Forest bitterberry is recognized for producing small, bitter berries. These berries, while not typically consumed by humans due to their astringent taste, play a role in the diet of local wildlife, who help in seed dispersal.

The plant’s adaptability and ecological role make it a subject of interest for those studying tropical and southern African flora. Despite its bitterness, the berries and possibly other parts of the plant may hold potential for traditional uses, although more research might be necessary to fully understand and utilize its properties.

Overall, Solanum anguivi, or Forest bitterberry, serves as an exemplar of the rich and varied plant life that thrives in tropical and southern Africa, and the surrounding regions, reflecting the intricate web of life forms that coexist in these areas.

Common Names

Eng: forest bitterberry
En: Forest bitterberry, African Eggplant
Ha: Gautan tsuntsu
Qu: Indya t’ankar
Sn: Munhomboro, Munhundurwa

Synonyms

Solanum indicum var. micranthum (Hook.f.)
Solanum occidentale (Dunal)
Solanum indicum var. inerme (Van Heurck & Müll.Arg.)
Solanum pseudogeminifolium (Dammer)
Solanum indicum subsp. zechii (Dammer ex Bitter)
Solanum rederi (Dammer)
Solanum kandtii (Dammer)
Solanum indicum var. pseudogeminifolium ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. brevipedicellatum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. monbuttorum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. grandifrons (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. lividum ((Link) Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. olivaceum ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. bukobense (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. maroanum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. breviaculeatum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. mesodolichum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. grandemunitum (Bitter)
Solanum wildemanii (Dammer ex De Wild. & T.Durand)
Solanum indicum var. dichroanthum ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. pervilleanum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. carvalhoi ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum stuhlmannii (Dammer)
Solanum urosepalum (Dammer)
Solanum ueleense (De Wild.)
Solanum schroederi (Dammer)
Solanum indicum subsp. clinocarpum (Bitter)
Solanum flamignii (De Wild.)
Solanum indicum var. subquercinum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. jaegeri ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. sakarense ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum nguelense (Dammer)
Solanum indicum var. spathotrichum ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum jespersenii (De Wild.)
Solanum indicum var. halophilum ((Pax) Bitter)
Solanum yangambiense (De Wild.)
Solanum indicum var. kandtii ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. kiwuense (Bitter)
Solanum distichum (Schumach. & Thonn.)
Solanum dinklagei (Dammer)
Solanum senegambicum (Dunal)
Solanum buettneri (Dammer)
Solanum orthocarpum (Pic.Serm.)
Solanum jaegeri (Dammer)
Solanum rohrii (C.H.Wright)
Solanum aethiopicum subsp. anguivi ((Lam.) Banfi, Galasso & Bartolucci)
Solanum indicum var. arussorum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. modicearmatum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. newtonii (Bitter)
Solanum aurantiacobaccatum (De Wild.)
Solanum indicum var. busogae (Bitter)
Solanum hermannii (Dunal)
Solanum carvalhoi (Dammer)
Solanum indicum var. brevistellatum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. rohrii ((C.H.Wright) Bitter)
Solanum sakarense (Dammer)
Solanum grotei (Dammer)
Solanum halophilum (Pax)
Solanum dichroanthum (Dammer)
Solanum indicum var. depauperatum (Bitter)
Solanum mesodolichum ((Bitter) Pic.Serm.)
Solanum indicum var. nguelense ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. profundelobatum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. eldamae (Bitter)
Solanum spathotrichum (Dammer)
Solanum indicum var. parvifolium (Dunal)
Solanum albidum (De Wild.)
Solanum indicum var. suprastrigulosum (Bitter)
Solanum indicum subsp. distichum ((Schumach. & Thonn.) Bitter)
Solanum indicum var. immunitum (Bitter)
Solanum scalare (C.H.Wright)
Solanum indicum var. grotei ((Dammer) Bitter)
Solanum ruwenzoriense (De Wild.)
Solanum newtonii (Dammer)
Solanum batangense (Dammer)

Distribution

Angola (native)
Benin (native)
Burundi (native)
Cameroon (native)
Cape Provinces (native)
Central African Repu (native)
Comoros (native)
Congo (native)
Djibouti (native)
Equatorial Guinea (native)
Eritrea (native)
Ethiopia (native)
Gabon (native)
Gambia (native)
Ghana (native)
Guinea-Bissau (native)
Gulf of Guinea Is. (native)
Ivory Coast (native)
Kenya (native)
KwaZulu-Natal (native)
Liberia (native)
Madagascar (native)
Malawi (native)
Mozambique (native)
Nigeria (native)
Northern Provinces (native)
Rwanda (native)
Senegal (native)
Sierra Leone (native)
Somalia (native)
Sudan (native)
Swaziland (native)
Tanzania (native)
Uganda (native)
Zambia (native)
Zaïre (native)
Zimbabwe (native)
Assam (introduced)
East Himalaya (introduced)
India (introduced)
Mauritius (introduced)
Queensland (introduced)
Réunion (introduced)