Black Nightshade-Manathakkali

Manthakkali, or Solanum nigrum is an edible strain of Black Nightshade are used as food in Tamil Nadu. The plant is an erect, many-branched herb growing 0.5 to 1.0 m high. The plant bears thin, oval, slightly purplish leaves up to 15 cm in length, has numerous white flowers and usually purple to black, round berries about 0.75 cm in diameter containing many small, flattened, yellow seeds. The ripe berries and cooked leaves of this edible, and when the leaves are thoroughly boiled, they can be used like spinach. The ripe black berries are described as sweet and salty, with hints of liquorice and melon. It is nutritious containing high levels of Vitamin C, as well as niacin, riboflavin, calcium, phosphorus, and iron. It is also used in herbal medicine, the leaves and berries can be eaten as a treatment for ulcers.

Latin Name: Solanum nigrum

Planting Guidance: Seed may be broadcast or sown directly in rows 15-20 cm. (6-8 in) apart (farther apart in rainy season), cover with layer of fine soil and coarse, cut grass as mulch. Harvesting 1 - 3 times/week can continue over 7 weeks or year-round if wild nightshade is included.

Approx. Seed Count:

• Retail Packet: 100+ Seeds

Seed Treatment

Untreated

Genetics

Open Pollinated

Hindi Name: Mokoi मोकोय

Marathi Name: Laghukavali

Gujrati Name:

Kannada Name: Kaaki ಕಾಕಿ

Telugu Name: Kasaka

Tamil Name: Manatakkali மணதக்காளி

Bengali Name:

Malayalam Name: Mulaku-thakkali