Thanks, Suresh ji for posting it. We used to love ripe black & red berries (we used to call Papotan) when we were children. I think rural guys must still be doing it.
Some extracts from Wikipedia link (for pictures & more details, click on the link): http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_nigrum *Solanum nigrum* (*European Black Nightshade* or locally just *"black nightshade <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_nightshade>"*, *Duscle*, *Garden Nightshade*, *Hound's Berry*, *Petty Morel*, *Small-fruited black nightshade * or *popolo*) is a species in the *Solanum<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum> * genus, native to Eurasia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Eurasia> and introduced in the Americas <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Americas> and Australasia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Australasia>. Black nightshade is a fairly common plant, found in many wooded areas, as well as disturbed habitats. It has a height of 30-120 cm (12-48"), leaves 4-7.5 cm (1 1/2-3") long; ovate to heart-shaped, with wavy or large-toothed edges. The flowers have petals greenish to whitish, recurved when aged and surround prominent bright yellow anthers. The fruits <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fruit> are oval black berries in small hanging clusters. The ripe black small fruit are directly consumable and the leaves are cooked and consumed. In India, another strain is found with berries that turn red when ripe. In India <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/India>, the berries are casually grown and eaten; but not cultivated for commercial use. The berries are referred to as "fragrant tomato," or மணத்தக்காளி - manathakkaali in Tamil<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tamil_language>, and makoi in Hindi. Although not very popular across much of its growing region, the fruit and dish are common in Northern Tamil Nadu, Southern Andhra & Southern Karnataka. In North India, the boiled extracts of leaves and berries are also used to alleviate the patient's discomfort in liver-related ailments, including jaundice.. In Ethiopia <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ethiopia>, the ripe berries are picked and eaten by children in normal times, while during famines all affected people would eat berries. In addition the leaves are collected by women and children, who cook the leaves in salty water and consumed like any other vegetable. Farmers in the Konso Special Woreda<http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Konso_Special_Woreda>report that because *Solanum nigrum* matures before the maize is ready for harvesting, it is used as a food source until their crops are ready. 2009/4/6 Devendra Bhardwaj <[email protected]> > Hello Suresh ji, > You are abslutly right.Is common weed in rajasthan also. > With Regard > Devendra Bhardwaj > > > --- On *Mon, 6/4/09, Suresh C. Sharma <[email protected]>* wrote: > > > From: Suresh C. Sharma <[email protected]> > Subject: [indiantreepix:10274] (060409SCS4-6) - Solanum nigrum, Haryana > To: "indiantreepix" <[email protected]> > Cc: "J.M. Garg" <[email protected]> > Date: Monday, 6 April, 2009, 5:34 AM > > Solanum nigrum, my house, Sonepat, Haryana, 5th April 09. > Kali Makoi in Hindi. > Stand to be corrected. > > Here is a link: www.floralimages.co.uk/psolannigru.htm > > Best, > Suresh C Sharma > > > > > ------------------------------ > Get rid of Add-Ons in your email ID. Get [email protected]. Sign up > now!<http://in.rd.yahoo.com/tagline_dbid_2/*http://in.promos.yahoo.com/address> -- With regards, J.M.Garg "We often ignore the beauty around us" Creating Awareness about Indian Flora & Fauna: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/User:Jmgarg1 For learning about our trees & plants, please visit/ join Google e-group (Indiantreepix) http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ You received this message because you are subscribed to the Google Groups "indiantreepix" group. To post to this group, send email to [email protected] To unsubscribe from this group, send email to [email protected] For more options, visit this group at http://groups.google.co.in/group/indiantreepix?hl=en -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
