https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?action=history&feed=atom&title=Solanum_aculeastrum 2026-04-12T05:27:59Z Revision history for this page on the wiki MediaWiki 1.35.3 https://gardenology.mywikis.net/w/index.php?title=Solanum_aculeastrum&diff=2773&oldid=prev 2007-04-12T14:49:21Z

<p></p> <p><b>New page</b></p><div>{{Taxobox<br /> | color = lightgreen<br /> | name = ''Solanum aculeastrum''<br /> | regnum = [[Plant]]ae<br /> | divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]<br /> | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]<br /> | subclassis = [[Asteridae]]<br /> | ordo = [[Solanales]]<br /> | familia = [[Solanaceae]]<br /> | genus = ''[[Solanum]]''<br /> | species = '''''S. aculeastrum'''''<br /> | binomial = ''Solanum aculeastrum''<br /> | binomial_authority = [[Dunal]]<br /> }}<br /> <br /> '''''Solanum aculeastrum''''', the '''Sodaapple nightshade''', '''goat-apple''', '''bitter-apple''', or '''poison apple''', is a [[shrub]] or small [[tree]] native to tropical [[Africa]] south to [[South Africa]], in a wide range of soil, terrain and climatic conditions. It is highly-branched and reaches 1-5 m high, with numerous sharp hooked brown [[Spine (biology)|thorns]]. The [[leaf|leaves]] are ovate, up to 15 cm long and 13 cm broad, with lobed margins and a downy underside. It [[flower]]s (in South Africa) from September to July, peaking from November to March. The petals are white to pale violet surrounding the ovary. These yield to [[fruit]] from April to January, peaking in June and November. These smooth, round [[berry|berries]] are 6 cm in diameter and fade from green to yellow as they ripen. These berries contain high levels of the poisonous alkaloid [[solanine]]. The species name ''aculeastrum'' refers to the thorns that adorn most parts of the shrub.<br /> <br /> ==Uses==<br /> Because of its dense growth and prickly nature, goat-apple is used as a [[hedge]] and living barrier for containing [[livestock]]. The sodaapple is often used as a [[soap]] replacement, as it is high in [[saponin]]. Traditional [[Zulu]] practices use the fruit - fresh, boiled, or charred - in [[herbalism|herbal medicine]] to treat a wide variety of afflictions including cancer, toothaches, and ringworm.<br /> <br /> ==References and external links==<br /> *[http://www.plantzafrica.com/plantqrs/solanacul.htm Plantzafrica information]<br /> *Wanyonyi A.W.; Tarus P.K.; Chhabra S.C. 2003. A novel glycosidic steroidal alkaloid from Solanum aculeastrum. ''Bulletin of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia'' 17 (1): 61-66(6). [http://www.ingentaconnect.com/content/cse/bcse/2003/00000017/00000001/art00008 Abstract].<br /> *Wanyonyi AW, Chhabra SC, Mkoji G, Njue W, Tarus PK. 2003. Molluscicidal and antimicrobial activity of Solanum aculeastrum. ''Fitoterapia'' 74 (3): 298-301. [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/query.fcgi?cmd=Retrieve&amp;db=PubMed&amp;list_uids=12727499&amp;dopt=Abstract Abstract]<br /> <br /> [[Category:Solanum]]<br /> [[Category:Poisonous plants]]</div>

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