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This shrub found almost in every part of Tanzania, usually next to roads and overgrazed areas, is labelled as an invasive species. Sodom apple is the common name and its scientific name is Solanum incanum. (But be careful: to some Solanum incanum is better known as “Bitter Apple”. In addition, Solanum linnaeanum and Calotropis procera are also very often referred to as “Sodom Apple” in the literature. So don’t mix it up.) This shrub belongs to the Solanaceae family which has up to 2000 different species, of which a 100 can be found in tropical Africa.
Never heard of this family of plants? You have. It has three species that we all know very well; potatoes, tomatoes and eggplants all belong to the Solanum family.
The shrub can grow to 2 meters high and has thorny branches and stems. The leaves are very soft to the touch, which is why some of the native tribes use it as toilet paper. When blossoming, the shrub produces purple flowers that grow into light green fruit. When ripe the fruit is bright yellow.
Plants plays a very important role in indigenous communities, not only do they provide food, building material and food for livestock but most importantly, traditional medicine. Tanzanian tribes such as the Maasai have incredible plant knowledge, unfortunately this knowledge is not being passed down to the younger generations anymore. Elderly members are no longer around and modern medicine is easily accessible.
Sodom apple has many medicinal properties amongst many tribes in Tanzania. It is believed that the flowers are lucky charms. When travelling for example you can take some flowers with you for the journey. Some also place these flowers in front of their shops in the hope that it will bring luck to the business.
The fruit is used to stop bleeding or is pressed into wounds and the juice of the fruit can be used to help with toothaches. The stems are made into toothbrushes, which some tribes believe has an anti-bacterial effect.
The roots of the shrub are boiled and drunk to relieve stomach pains.
And the leaves, well, these can come in handy when you are out on safari…
Author: Taher Nassrulla
thunk you veery much
How many diseases does it treat
Are the roots of this plant edible to human beings
Are the fruits of this plant edible? All along I have known that it is poisonous but I have been reading stories from Uganda that it is edible.They call it “Katunkuma”
Dear Caroline,
the fruit of the sodom apple shrub is poisonous and not fit for human consumption.
The fruit you mention from Uganda “Katunkuma” belongs to the same family but it is a different plant.
Scientific name Solanum anguivi also known as bitter berries or African eggplant which is regularly eaten in Uganda.
Very useful information, thank you! I love Solanum Anguive; it’s bitter but very tasty if cooked skilfully! I normally halve it then slice it abt 1cm thick which gives you a crescent shape, fry it both side so golden brown then add it to a tomato sauce made with (using the same oil) onions, garlic, sliced green chillies, salt & let simmer till soft! Enjoy with flatbread or even baguette… Yum!
I love that plant. In our tribe (Sambas) from Usambara mountains Tanzania we use the fruits to make a neckless and then it used to treat swollen around the neck for children.
Dear Yassin Kibungi,
thank you very much to share your knowledge about Sodom apples with us!
thanks for this knowledge, i was told the bad side of it that it is poisonous
Dear Pema,
thank you for your message.
In the comments above it says “the fruit of the sodom apple shrub is poisonous and not fit for human consumption.”
The rest should be also treated with care and by knowledgable people only.
Best regards
So nice… but this plant have some side effects
for examples once are consumed by some animals like goats… they are poisonous to them.
(so care have to be taken during grazing.)
Nyc presentation
i find some info on the website misleading…how i wish you change some …1.Sodom apple leaves are not easy to be used as toilet paper reason being they are thorny…..two…sodom apple is poisonous there fore it is not fit for human consumption ….
Dear Chris,
thanks for your comment.
In this blog post it describes the usage of Sodom apple as traditional medicine. In some previous comments it says clearly “the fruit of the sodom apple shrub is poisonous and not fit for human consumption.”
Regarding the other usage as traditional toilet paper, according to some resources on the web, the leaves of the sodom apple shrub are described as covered with velvet hair. As we know preferences are different and our suggestion is rather for the case of emergency while out in the bush.. we would like to invite you warmly to come on a Safari with us to experience life in the African bush.
thank u fr the information but i wanted to ask can it be used as a pesticide and if so wich pests does it act upon
please need some understanding on the phytochemical and biological properties on the Sodom apple plant
Comment…what are some of the adaptations of Sodom apple to its environment
I want you tell me important for some fruits 👂
In Maasai this plant is called Ndulele. It’s roots has medicinal uses and preparation is according to ailment.
If you suffer from athlete foot or jock itch,obtain it’s ripened yellow fruit cut it and rub it on the affected area i.e btw toes /groin. Works better than clotrimazole
Thank you very much. I will start extracting gold in the said plant.
It’s a gold hidden among the gravel
Wow…very informative
Do the Massai use it’s roots in making miti dawa?