The aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a plant of the family Solanaceae and genus Solanum. As a nightshade, it is closely related to the tomato and potato.
It is a delicate perennial often cultivated as an annual. It grows 40-150cm (16-57in) tall, with large coarsely lobed leaves that are 10-20cm (4–8in) long and 5-10cm (2–4in) broad. The fruit is fleshy, has a meaty texture, less than 3cm (1.2in) in diameter on wild plants, but much larger in cultivated forms.
The fruit is botanically classified as a berry, and contains numerous small, soft seeds, which are edible, but are bitter because they contain nicotinoid alkaloids, unsurprising as it is a close relative of tobacco.
Remove growing tip when plant is 30cm (12in) high. Mist plants regularly to control red spider mites and encourage fruit set. Once 5 fruit have formed, remove lateral shoots and remaining flowers.[2]
Water regularly, but do not keep the compost sodden. Add a tomato fertiliser with each watering once fruit have begun to swell.[2]
Cut fruit once it is large enough, approximately 12-15cm (5-6in) long, but before the surface shine has gone. Dull fruit tend to be over-ripe and bitter.[2]
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