Bush Tomato

The term bush tomato refers to the fruit or entire plants of certain nightshade (Solanum) species native to the more arid parts of Australia. While they are quite closely related to tomatoes (Solanum lycopersicum), they might be even closer relatives of the eggplant (S. melongena), which they resemble in many details. There are 94 (mostly perennial) natives and 31 (mostly annual) introduced species in Australia.

Special Precautions

• If you are not an expert at identifying the plant, ‘DO NOT’ eat the fruit, as some Solanum species that look similar, are toxic.
• In the Solanum centrale, the unripe fruit contains the toxin solanine (the same as that found in green potatoes) and must be fully ripened before consumption.
• There are many Solanum species and only some of them produce edible fruit eg Solanum centrale, Solanum chippendalei and Solanum ellipticum. Some closely related species produce fruit that are toxic.

Species

• Solanum aviculare or Kangaroo Apple
• Solanum centrale, also known as Desert Raisin, Bush Raisin or Bush Sultana, or by the native name kutjera
• Solanum chippendalei or Bush Tomato
• Solanum coactiliferum Aborigines roasted the fruit before eating.
• Solanum diversiflorum Bush Tomato, Karlumbu, Pilirta, Wamurla
• Solanum ellipticum or Potato Bush, Very similar to S. quadriliculatum which is poisonous.
• Solanum laciniatum Kangaroo Apple.
• Solanum orbiculatum Round-leaved Solanum
• Solanum phlomoides Wild Tomato.
• Solanum vescum