Solanum incanum | |
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Scientific classification | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
(unranked): | Angiosperms |
(unranked): | Eudicots |
(unranked): | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Solanaceae |
Genus: | Solanum |
Subgenus: | Leptostemonum |
Section: | Melongena |
Species: | S. incanum |
Binomial name | |
Solanum incanum L., 1753 |
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Synonyms | |
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Solanum incanum is a species of nightshade that is native to Sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East, eastwards to India. Common names include thorn apple, bitter apple,bitterball and bitter tomato It may be confused with the similar S. linnaeanum where their ranges overlap in Africa. In ancient India, Solanum incanum was domesticated into the eggplant, Solanum melongena. In biblical literature, it is sometimes used as a "hedge of thorns" (Hebrew: מְשֻׂכַת חָדֶק).