On Sun, 3 Nov 2002 20:19:02 +0000, Alan Gould
wrote:

In article , Nick Maclaren
writes

If anyone has DEFINITE and RELIABLE evidence that Solanum nigrum
has edible berries, I should be interested to hear.

John Akeroyd, writing in his Encyclopedia of Wild Flowers, says of Black
Nightshade - Solanum nigrum:

And further from the PFAF database:

for Solanum nigra:

Edible Uses:

Fruit - cooked[2, 27, 89, 179]. Used in preserves, jams and pies[183].
A pleasant musky taste[85]. Somewhat like a tomato, but much less
pleasant, it improves slightly after a frost[K]. Only the fully ripe
fruits should be used, the unripe fruits contain the toxin
solanine[65, 173, 183]. The fruit contains about 2.5% protein, 0.6%
fat, 5.6% carbohydrate, 1.2% ash[179]. The fruit is about 9mm in
diameter[200].
Young leaves and new shoots - raw or cooked as a potherb or added to
soups[2, 27, 85, 89, 173, 179, 183]. This plant is cultivated as a
leaf crop in some areas, but see the notes at the top of the page
regarding possible toxicity.

Medicinal:
The whole plant is antiperiodic, antiphlogistic, diaphoretic,
diuretic, emollient, febrifuge, narcotic, purgative and sedative[4,
21, 145, 147, 192, 218]. It is harvested in the autumn when both
flowers and fruit are upon the plant, and is dried for later use[4].
Use with caution[21], see notes above on toxicity.
The leaves, stems and roots are used externally as a poultice, wash
etc in the treatment of cancerous sores, boils, leucoderma and
wounds[218, 257].
Extracts of the plant are analgesic, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory
and vasodilator[218]. The plant has been used in the manufacture of
locally analgesic ointments and the juice of the fruit has been used
as an analgesic for toothaches[7].

Known hazards:

There is a lot of disagreement over whether or not the leaves or fruit
of this plant are poisonous. Views vary from relatively poisonous to
perfectly safe to eat. The plant is cultivated as a food crop, both
for its fruit and its leaves, in some parts of the world and it is
probably true to say that toxicity can vary considerably according to
where the plant is grown and the cultivar that is being grown[4, 7,
10, 13, 65, 76]. The unripe fruit contains the highest concentration
of toxins[65].

Other Uses:

This species has been found to be effective in removing PCB's from the
soil and detoxifying them[248]. The plant is more effective in doing
this if it is infected with the bacterial parasite Agrobacterium
tumefaciens[248].

PS All those numbers in square brackets are references to published
journals etc.

I won't eat anything until I know what it is. Having said that there
are loads of plants which you would never suspect of being edible.
Edible being the operative word rather than palatable. Something which
can be prepared as spinach and comes up a very slimey mess is not a
big plus nor. come to think of it are hairy leaves.

Ah and then there's the taste muses the one with not much room and a
Crataegus tanacetifolia being delivered shortly. They are supposed to
have a flavour reminiscent of apples and ahem relatively spineless
to boot.

Happy times

Hussein



"For of all gainful professions, nothing
is better, nothing more pleasing,
nothing more delightful, nothing better
becomes a well-bred man than
agriculture"

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