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Solanum melongena - L.

Aubergine

Author	L.	Botanical references	200
Family	Solanaceae	Genus	Solanum
Synonyms
Known Hazards	All green parts of the plant are poisonous[19].
Range	The origin of this plant is obscure.
Habitat	Not known in the wild.
Edibility Rating	3 (1-5)	Medicinal Rating	2 (1-5)

Physical Characteristics

Perennial growing to 1m.

The plant prefers light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and requires well-drained soil. The plant prefers acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It requires moist soil.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit; Leaves.

Fruit - raw or cooked[1, 2, 16, 27, 33]. The fruit should not be eaten raw[132]. It can be baked, stewed or added to soups, curries etc[183]. The fruit is said to be very nutritious[7]. It is a good source of vitamin C and potassium[201]. The fruit can be up to 20cm long in cultivated plants[200]. Leaves - mixed with rice bran and salt in which 'Daikon' (a form of radish [Raphanus sativa]) roots have been pickled[183]. Caution is advised, see the notes on toxicity above.

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.

Anticholesterolemic; Antidote; Astringent; Narcotic; Poultice.

The aubergine is used mainly as a food crop, but it does also have various medicinal uses that make it a valuable addition to the diet. In particular the fruit helps to lower blood cholesterol levels and is suitable as part of a diet to help regulate high blood pressure[7, 254]. The fruit is antihaemorrhoidal and hypotensive[7]. It is also used as an antidote to poisonous mushrooms[218]. It is bruised with vinegar and used as a poultice for cracked nipples, abscesses and haemorrhoids[178, 218, 254]. The leaves are narcotic[240]. A decoction is applied to discharging sores and internal haemorrhages[218]. A soothing and emollient poultice for the treatment of burns, abscesses, cold sores and similar conditions can be made from the leaves[254]. Aubergine leaves are toxic and should only be used externally[254]. The ashes of the peduncle are used in the treatment of intestinal haemorrhages, piles and toothache[218]. A decoction of the root is astringent[178, 218].

Other Uses

None known

Cultivation details

Requires a very warm, sheltered sunny position, though it succeeds in most soils[1]. Requires plenty of moisture[132], though the soil should be well-drained. Requires a pH in the range 5.5 to 6.8[200]. The aubergine is often cultivated, especially in tropical areas, for its edible fruit, there are many named varieties[183, 200]. The plant is not frost-hardy, though it can be grown as an annual in temperate zones. It can, however, be difficult to ripen the fruit from outdoor grown plants in cooler temperate climates such as Britain. In this country they are more commonly grown in a warm or cool greenhouse or in a frame. A steady temperature of 25 - 30°c is required during the growing season for the best production of flowers and fruit[200]. A short-lived perennial plant, it is usually cultivated as an annual[142, 200]. Plants should be restricted to no more than 4 fruits to make sure they reach a good size and ripen properly[33]. Plants are rarely bothered by pests or diseases[132]. Slugs, snails and caterpillars love this plant[201]. Aubergines grow well with beans, tarragon and thyme[201]. Aromatic plants such as lavender, tansy, marigolds or wormwood help to keep aphids at bay[201]. Grows badly with potatoes, onions and garlic[201].

Propagation

Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse with a minimum temperature of 15°c[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots once they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. If growing them outdoors, plant out after the last expected frosts.

Cultivars

There are many named varieties of this annual fruit, with new forms being developed. At present there is not time to enter these in the database and it is recommended that you consult the book 'The Fruit and Vegetable Finder' which is updated regularly and can be obtained from libraries.

Links

References

[1] F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951
Comprehensive listing of species and how to grow them. Somewhat outdated, it has been replaces in 1992 by a new dictionary (see [200]).

[2] Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972 ISBN 0-486-20459-6
Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.

[7] Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984 ISBN 0-356-10541-5
Covers plants growing in Europe. Also gives other interesting information on the plants. Good photographs.

[16] Simons. New Vegetable Growers Handbook. Penguin 1977 ISBN 0-14-046-050-0
A good guide to growing vegetables in temperate areas, not entirely organic.

[19] Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn 1983 ISBN 0-600-35666-3
Not very comprehensive, but easy reading.

[27] Vilmorin. A. The Vegetable Garden. Ten Speed Press 0 ISBN 0-89815-041-8
A reprint of a nineteenth century classic, giving details of vegetable varieties. Not really that informative though.

[33] Organ. J. Rare Vegetables for Garden and Table. Faber 1960
Unusual vegetables that can be grown outdoors in Britain. A good guide.

[132] Bianchini. F., Corbetta. F. and Pistoia. M. Fruits of the Earth. 0
Lovely pictures, a very readable book.

[142] Brouk. B. Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press 1975 ISBN 0-12-136450-x
Readable but not very comprehensive.

[178] Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre 0
A translation of an ancient Chinese herbal. Fascinating.

[183] Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Excellent. Contains a very wide range of conventional and unconventional food plants (including tropical) and where they can be obtained (mainly N. American nurseries but also research institutes and a lot of other nurseries from around the world.

[200] Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.

[201] Allardice.P. A - Z of Companion Planting. Cassell Publishers Ltd. 1993 ISBN 0-304-34324-2
A well produced and very readable book.

[218] Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985 ISBN 0-917256-20-4
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are not into the subject.

[240] Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. 1986
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

[254] Chevallier. A. The Encyclopedia of Medicinal Plants Dorling Kindersley. London 1996 ISBN 9-780751-303148
An excellent guide to over 500 of the more well known medicinal herbs from around the world.

Readers Comments

Plants for a Future does not verify the accuracy of reader comments, use at your own risk. In particular Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. You should always consult a professional before using plants medicinally.

Solanum melongena

Fri May 13 05:17:07 2005

Please add "Patlican" to the list of other common names. Thanks

Solanum melongena

gloria casola Fri Jun 10 02:10:24 2005

how do you tell a female from a male eggplant?

Solanum melongena

Zorro Mon Jun 5 2006

The Eggplant is the most Blessed Fruit or Vegetable in all the land.

Solanum melongena

Helen B Tue Jun 13 2006

Does it need to be cross pollenated or would one plant bear fruit if it were not near another? I have given my neigbhour one of my plants and now wonder if it will bear fruit or if it needs a companion to fertilise it?

Solanum melongena

ervin malones Sun Oct 8 2006

is there a antibactrial property does eggplant possess?

Solanum melongena

anj tabs Sat Jan 26 2008

what are the components of eggplants skin?

Solanum melongena

Iheaturu Donald Ezechukwu Sun Mar 2 2008

thats good. i'm a project student. I luv ur idea/contribution

Solanum melongena

aubergine Mon Aug 11 2008

"Brinjal" is another commonly used name

Solanum melongena

Hakimi Mahalil Sun Mar 15 2009

Quantum Timur Enterprise Eggplant Planter in Malaysia

Solanum melongena

Calender-Buisness Wed Apr 29 2009

do the lyrics "aubergine dreams" have any specific meaning, or make sense in any way?

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