The ECHO Asia Seed Bank has been growing this NUS (Neglected & Underutilized Species) vegetable for a couple years now… but we are not confident about what it is called!
For the time being we have been calling it Solanum benth/Edible Leaf Solanum.
This plant is a cousin of the eggplant but lacks thorns and does not have the hairy leaves of most eggplant varieties. Leaves are soft and can be consumed when green to mature. Fruit is also edible, though both leaves and fruit are generally cooked before eating. This plant is native to south Thailand (Songkhla). We have also seen it called potato tree or Brazilian tree but don’t think that is correct.
If you have any further information or know someone who might know more, let us know! Thanks! Here are some pictures:
you might try richters seeds in Ontario canada - they have people around the world sending them seeds, plants, etc. failing that there is always Kew. there is also a group - a woman- i think in New Zealand who specializes in under utilized food plants. I will try to find her name and contact info.
Thanks @Martin_Tlustos and @DJ1 . The link you found, Martin, gave the clearest assurance, I believe. I put a couple of other references in a startup collection for African Eggplant. Very interesting. Googling ‘มะเขือกินใบ images’ provides a good set of images. http://edn.link/africaneggplant
Thank you @Kate_Daley@troysantos@Martin_Tlustos@ssnyder for your comments and research! I have forwarded these comments and questions to the ECHO Asia Seed Bank staff and will reply back soon. Very interesting!
In the meantime, here are a couple other images I have of this plant:
