Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Herbaceous Plant |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Annual |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Maximum Height | 0.5 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 0.4 m |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Growth Form | Annual herb with an erect growth form. |
|---|---|
| Foliage | Large, greyish green leaves are densely covered in short, white hairs. Overall leaf shape is ovate with a lobed leaf margin. |
| Stems | Round, yellowish green stem is densely covered in short, white hairs. |
| Fruit | Cylindrical, elongated fruits are 20-25 cm long and 4 cm wide at maturity. The smooth, glossy skin is light purple overall, having a white base colour with lavender blush. Individual fruits vary significantly in colour, ranging from pure white to very light or medium purple blush. The flesh is white. |
| Others - Plant Morphology | This cultivar is also known as Solanum melongena 'Bride'. |
| Cultivation | When the plant becomes 30 cm high, pinch the growing tip to encourage branching. Harvest the fruit before the glossy skin becomes dull. |
| Ethnobotanical Uses | Edible Plant Parts : Edible Fruits Food (Fruit or Vegetable): The fruit is cooked as a vegetable in a variety of ways, such as grilling, baking and boiling. This cultivar is more commonly used in Asian cuisines and is often stir-fried. The flesh contains few vitamins or minerals, but is rich in fiber. |
Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Fruits |
|---|---|
| Thematic Landscaping | Economic Garden |
Fauna, Pollination and Dispersal
| Pollination Method(s) | Biotic (Fauna) (Insects (Bee)) |
|---|
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
Foliar
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
|---|---|
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Arrangement Along Stem | Alternate |
| Foliar Attachment to Stem | Petiolate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple |
|---|
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Mature Fruit Texture(s) | Smooth |
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 32101 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 6507 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
