Fauna
Plant

Ethiopian Eggplant

Solanum aethiopicum

Also known as Bitter Tomato, Nakati, Garden Eggs, Pumpkin-on-a-stick

Domesticated in tropical Africa from wild relatives, this branching nightshade produces clusters of ribbed fruits that turn from pale green to brilliant scarlet as they mature. Cultivated extensively across sub-Saharan Africa and parts of South Asia, the plant thrives in warm climates as a resilient agricultural crop. The sturdy shrubs tolerate periodic dry spells and attract diverse generalist pollinators to their starry white and pale purple blossoms.

CultivatedFruitingHeat-Tolerant
Ethiopian Eggplant reference1 / 7
(c) Steven Bodzin, some rights reserved (CC BY) · cc-by
—observations
—countries
—peak records
Not EvaluatedConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXNot Evaluated — not placed on the risk ladderRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & preyAutotrophic (photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Two-spotted spider mite
  • Cotton aphid
  • Flea beetle
ThreatsFungal blights, viral infections, and root-knot nematodes
HabitatsCultivated fields, home gardens, disturbed tropical scrub
Life span1–2 years (typically grown as an annual)
Classification
  1. OrderSolanales
  2. FamilySolanaceae
  3. GenusSolanum
  4. SpeciesSolanum aethiopicum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Wild berries have toxic look-alikes; foliage and unripe fruit are toxic to dogs and cats.
Why it is dangerous
Unripe fruits and foliage contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid that triggers gastrointestinal upset and lethargy in domestic pets.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Look for lobed solanaceous leaves, star-shaped white-to-violet blooms, and glossy, pumpkin-like ribbed fruits.
What to do
Keep domestic pets away from the foliage and wash hands after handling bruised or broken stems.
Responsible observation
  • Cultivation: Provide well-draining soil and a position that receives full daily sunlight.
  • Pest Scouting: Inspect the undersides of broad leaves regularly for signs of sap-feeding insects.
  • Observation: Watch the ribbed fruits transition from pale green to bright orange-red over the season.
Related species
Help improve the field guideSomething wrong?

Report a name, category, or profile issue for review.

Checking your Fauna account…