Description
EGGPLANT (SOLANUM MELONGENA)
Solanum melongena Linn (Garden egg) is a culinary vegetable, which has been in use in the Indian medicinal system since antiquity. Various parts of the plant are used in the treatment of inflammatory condition, cardiac debility, neuralgia, ulcer in nose, and cholera.
There are three main botanical varieties under the species melongena. The round or egg-shaped cultivars are grouped under esculentum, common eggplant. The long, slender types are included under serpentinum, snake eggplant, and the small and straggling plants are put under depressum, dwarf eggplant .
Solanum melongena is grown worldwide for its edible fruit. Most commonly purple, the spongy, absorbent fruit is used in several cuisines. Typically used as a vegetable in cooking, it is a berry by botanical definition.Like the tomato, its skin and seeds can be eaten, but, like the potato, it is usually eaten cooked.
