Ethnobotanical Notes and Phytopharmacologiques on Solanum nigrum Linn. (Family: Solanaceae)

Solanum nigrum Linn. (Family: Solanaceae) is commonly known as tit begun, phuti begun, gurki, gurkamai and kakmachi, black nightshade, duscle, Garden Nightshade, hound’s berry, petty Morel, wonder Berry, small-fruited black nightshade. It is a species of the Solanum genus, native to Eurasia and introduced in the Americas, Australia, Asia and South Africa. Parts of this plant can be highly toxic to livestock and humans, and it is considered a weed. Nonetheless, ripe berries and cooked leaves are used as food in some locales; and plant parts are used as a traditional medicine. This paper reviews the literature on the morphology, distribution, ecology, habitat requirements, physiology and impacts, biological and pharmacological activity.