Solanum jamesii

Solanum jamesii is a species of Solanum, a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, which includes two food crops of high economic importance, the potato and the tomato. It is commonly known as James' nightshade or wild potato, and is native to the western United States and northern Mexico.

Description

Solanum jamesii is a perennial herb that grows up to 1 meter tall. The leaves are pinnately compound, with 5-9 leaflets. The flowers are white to purple, with yellow stamens. The fruit is a berry that turns black when ripe. The plant has tubers that are edible and have been used as a food source by Native Americans.

Distribution and habitat

Solanum jamesii is found in the western United States, from California to Kansas, and south to northern Mexico. It grows in a variety of habitats, including grasslands, woodlands, and desert scrub.

Uses

The tubers of Solanum jamesii have been used as a food source by Native Americans for thousands of years. The tubers are rich in starch and can be cooked and eaten in a similar way to potatoes. The plant has also been used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of ailments.

Cultivation

Solanum jamesii can be grown from seed or by planting tubers. It prefers well-drained soil and full sun. The plant is drought-tolerant and can be grown in areas with low rainfall.

Research

Recent archaeological research has found evidence of the cultivation of Solanum jamesii by Native Americans in Utah more than 10,000 years ago, making it one of the earliest known examples of plant cultivation in North America.

See also

• Solanum tuberosum (Potato)
• Solanum lycopersicum (Tomato)
• Solanum melongena (Eggplant)