Solanum chippendalei

Other Names Solanum chippendalei is is a shrub 0.8–1.5 m high with grey-green leaves, pale purple flowers and covered in prickles 2–6 mm long. The fruit is usually globular, and is green or green with purplish streaks to pale yellow when ripe. Fruit size is 2–3 cm in diameter. Only the thick outer rind is eaten; the black seeds and the thin inner part of the fruit are very bitter and inedible. The fruit is split open and the inedible portions are scraped out.

Special Precautions of Solanum chippendalei

• The fruit must be fully ripe, and the bitter center and seeds shall not be eaten.
• Belongs to the nightshades : Green parts and unripe fruit can be toxic.

Health Benefits and Uses of Solanum chippendalei

Fruit is used raw or cooked. The flesh is moist, but not juicy. The fruit is processed, dried and stored as a staple food. The seeds and bitter placental centre are scraped out before the remainder of the berry is eaten, or opened fruits may be skewered and dried. The globose, yellowish-green or green to pale yellow fruit is 23 - 30mm in diameter

• The rind is relatively high in vitamin C and has quite low protein and fat values. It has a rather bland taste with a slight rockmelon flavour and has exceptional keeping qualities
• The fruit is a popular and important berry in the Aboriginal diet
• It is being developed in Australia as 'bush tucker