Eggplant Solanum melongena
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- so-LAN-num mel-ON-gen-uh
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
-
Eggplant is an annual or short-lived perennial plant that is very sensitive to cold temperatures. It grows fastest when the temperature ranges between 70 and 85 degrees. It produces an edible shiny glossy fruit. The plant may grow 2 to 4 feet tall and is multi-branched. The leaves and stems have star-shaped hairs, and the small violet flowers are also star-shaped. Eggplant or Aubergine is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and peppers. It is grown primarily as a food crop.
This species is native to South Central China, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam. The plant is grown as a perennial in South Asia. It is now cultivated worldwide. In North Carolina, eggplant is considered an annual.
The genus name, Solanum, is from the Latin word solamen, which means "comforting or soothing." The species name, melongena, references the fruits melon shape. Another source states that the species name, melongena, has origins from the Italian name "melanzane," which is derived from "mela insane" or "mad apple."
The eggplant grows best in full sun. It prefers moist, well-drained, fertile, sandy, and loamy soils with a pH range of 5.5 to 6.8. It is propagated by seeds and germination occurs in 8 -12 days. The fruits may be harvested in about 105-133 days. The plant's flowers attract bumblebees.
The leaves and stems are covered with star-shaped hairs and sometimes prickles. The flowers are solitary, star-shaped, and usually violet in color. The fruit is a large fleshy smooth berry. The fruit color varies from white, green, or purple to black depending on the cultivar. The fruit has many pale brown kidney-shaped seeds.
If you consider growing eggplant in your vegetable garden, caution should be taken to protect children and pets.
The fruits and seeds are edible; however, the remainder of the plant is poisonous. The fruits should not be consumed raw. Preferably, they should be baked, stewed, or fried. The flowers, leaves, and roots of the plant are toxic and should not be consumed. See below.
Quick ID Hints:
- star-shaped hair on the leaves and stems
- star-shaped violet flowers
- large fleshy, shiny, glossy fruits varying in color depending on the cultivar
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Flea beetles, tomato hornworms, Colorado potato beetles, and cutworms are potential pests. Verticillium wilt can occur. It is best prevented by planting disease-resistant cultivars and rotation of crops.
The Clemson Cooperative Extension Home and Garden Information Center has a factsheet on common eggplant pests and insects.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Vegetable Garden at Paul J Ciener Botanical Garden Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Black Beauty'
purple black fruit - 'Calliope'
small, oval, white and purple streaked fruits - 'Casper'
white fruits - 'Hansel'
finger-length purple fruits - 'Kermit'
small, round, greenish-white fruits - 'Machiaw'
slender pale purple to deep pink fruits - 'Ping Tung Long'
slender purple fruit up to 18 inches long and 2 inches wide - 'Rosa Bianca'
plump white and lavender streaked fruit - 'Twinkle'
oval, deep plum and cream-colored fruits - 'White Comet'
ivory white teardrop-shaped
- 'Black Beauty'
- 'Black Beauty', 'Calliope', 'Casper', 'Hansel', 'Kermit', 'Machiaw', 'Ping Tung Long', 'Rosa Bianca', 'Twinkle', 'White Comet'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Black Beauty'
purple black fruit - 'Calliope'
small, oval, white and purple streaked fruits - 'Casper'
white fruits - 'Hansel'
finger-length purple fruits - 'Kermit'
small, round, greenish-white fruits - 'Machiaw'
slender pale purple to deep pink fruits - 'Ping Tung Long'
slender purple fruit up to 18 inches long and 2 inches wide - 'Rosa Bianca'
plump white and lavender streaked fruit - 'Twinkle'
oval, deep plum and cream-colored fruits - 'White Comet'
ivory white teardrop-shaped
- 'Black Beauty'
- 'Black Beauty', 'Calliope', 'Casper', 'Hansel', 'Kermit', 'Machiaw', 'Ping Tung Long', 'Rosa Bianca', 'Twinkle', 'White Comet'
- Tags:
-
-
Attributes:
- Genus:
- Solanum
- Species:
- melongena
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- It has been used in traditional medicine and cultural ceremonies in several countries across the world. The eggplant has been used as a treatment for diabetes, cholera, bronchitis, dysentery, ear infections, toothache, and skin infections. Some countries believe the eggplant has a magical quality and symbolizes protection and good health.
- Life Cycle:
- Annual
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- China South-Central, Laos, Malaya, Myanmar, Thailand, Vietnam
- Distribution:
- Introduced: Assam, Bangladesh, Cambodia, East Himalaya, India, Kazakhstan, Laccadive Island, Sri Lanka, Tadzhikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, and Zaire; Currently cultivated worldwide
- Wildlife Value:
- The flowers attract bumblebees.
- Edibility:
- The immature fruit is edible and best used in food preparation. As the fruit matures, it becomes stringy and bitter. The fruits are usually cooked and served as a vegetable. They may be prepared and eaten by frying, steaming, grilling, roasting, or stewing. They may also be stir-fried, pickled, stuffed, and fried with a light breading.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Annual
- Edible
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Vegetable
- Warm Season Vegetable
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Appendage:
- Prickles
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Gold/Yellow
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Showy
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- > 3 inches
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is a berry that is egg-shaped, smooth and has glossy skin. The fruit may measure 4 to 8 inches long. It ranges in color from green to white, to purple-black when immature and when it should be eaten. As the fruit matures it gets stringy and bitter. Fruit contains numerous small, flat, pale yellow to brown seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Solitary
- Flower Shape:
- Star
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- The flowers are purple, funnel-shaped, and have 5-6 pointed lobes. The lobes make the flower appear star-shaped with a yellow center. The flowers usually bloom in clusters.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Leaf Feel:
- Prickly
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Oblong
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Sinuate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are bright green or purplish-tinged, simple, alternate, and ovate to oblong. They measure 8 inches long and 4 inches wide. The margins are entire or have 5-9 sinuate lobes. The leaves are covered with star-shaped hairs, and some have prickles. The petiole is 1 to 3 inches long.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- The stems are covered with star-shaped hair and prickles are sometimes found. They become slightly woody as they mature.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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-
Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- If the leaves, flowers, stems, or roots are ingested, throat burning, nausea, vomiting, and irregular heart rhythm can occur which may be fatal.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Alkaloids including solanine
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Flowers
- Leaves
- Roots
- Stems
