Solanum fendleri

'Fendler's Horsenettle'

Solanaceae: A tuberous perennial to 50cm. Found on rich soil in open pine forests. White to purple flowers appear from July to August. Leaves are Green, alternate, pinnately compound; leaflets may be purplish beneath. Native to AZ, NM, TX. It is also native to Baja California and Mexico.

USES:

Used by Native Americans for Food, Bread & Cake, Plant dried, stored, ground into flour, and used to make bread. Building Material, Used for thatching.

Medical as a Carminative, Raw tubers taken for gastric distress from hyperacidity.

GROWING INFORMATION:

Rapidly germinating, keep seed in constant moisture (not wet) with temperatures of about +20°C [68°F]. Seeds must be covered thinly. Do not cover small seeds, but tightly press into the earth. Keep in cooler conditions after germination occurs.

This plant is a N. American species of potatoes and it can probably be grown in much the same way as potatoes are grown. This species can survive frosts down to 27 °F (-3 °C). It is advised to list the tubers and store them dry over winter then replant them in the spring. That said my plants survived quite happily left in the pots.

HARVESTED: 2020

 

APPROX. 20 SEEDS