Solanum melongena, L.

10. S. melongena L. View in CoL , Sp. Pl. 186 (1753) View Cited Treatment .

Perennial or annual; stems 30-70(-120) cm, often somewhat woody, erect, branched, stellate-tomentose, sometimes with scattered prickles. Leaves 7-15x3-1 0 cm, ovate, entire to shallowly sinuate, sparsely stellate-pubescent above, more densely so beneath; petiole 3-7 mm, densely stellate-tomentose, sometimes with few fine prickles. Cymes l(-3)-flowered, solitary, extra-axillary, rarely leaf-opposed, sessile; pedicels deflexed, strongly accrescent in hermaphrodite flowers. Calyx 15-20 mm, 5- to 9-lobed, accrescent; lobes up to 12 mm, sometimes unequal, lanceolate, longacuminate. Corolla 25-30(-50) mm in diameter, orbicularpentagonal, 5- to 7(-8)-lobed, purplish to violet. Stamens 5- 7(—8); anthers 6-8 mm. Berry 50-200(-300) x 5O-1OO(-15O) mm, oblong to ovoid or long-pyriform, rarely globose, blackishviolet, dark purple, yellow or whitish. Widely cultivated for its edible fruits (aubergines) in S., E.C. & E. Europe. (India.)