Scientific
name
Solanium nigrum1
Family name
Solanaceae
Local name(s)
Qaqata (Konsogna), A'ena (Wolayetgna),
Awitt (Amargna), Black nightshade (English)
General description
The plant is an annual weed that grows
up to 60cm tall, is branched and usually erected, growing wild in wastelands
and crop fields. Alternate leaves are ovate deep green with an indented
margin and acuminate at the tip. Flowers are white with yellow coloured
centre. The berries are green at early stage and turn to orange or black
when ripened (see pictures below).
Edible part(s),
preparation methods and palatability
Fruits and leaves are edible. The
berries are collected and enjoyed by children in normal times while during
food shortage periods all affected people would eat berries. In addition
to the berries, women and children will collect the leaves that are cooked
in salty water and consumed like any other vegetable. But the leaves taste
bitter. Therefore, people stop consuming them when other foodstuff are
becoming available and crops get ready. Farmers in Konso reported that
the plant matures before maize gets ready and hence is used to fill the
gap before the harvest.
Agroecology
Mostly grows in cultivated fields.
Found in the North-East, the Central Highlands, in the Arsi and Bale Highlands
and in the Southern Rift Valley between 1,600 - 2,400m.
Propagation
method(s)
Propagates by seeds.
Sample location
(s)
Jarso Kebele, Konso
Remarks
The berries are slightly toxic.
1 Parts of the following
description have been taken from Stroud A, Parker C, 1989: p. 222/223
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