Solanum cardiophyllum facts for kids

Solanum cardiophyllum is a special plant known by a few names, like cimatli, heartleaf horsenettle, or heartleaf nightshade. It's mostly found in Mexico, but you might also see it in some parts of the southwestern United States. This plant is unique because it's one of the few wild potato types that people actually eat!

For a long time, groups like the Aztec and Chichimeca people ate S. cardiophyllum. Even today, people in some parts of Mexico still enjoy it. As recently as 2010, there was a farm in Jalisco, Mexico, that grew S. cardiophyllum along with other wild potatoes like S. ehrenbergii and S. stoloniferum to sell at markets.

What Is Heartleaf Nightshade?

Solanum cardiophyllum is a type of plant related to the potato. It grows wild, mostly in Mexico. People have used it as food for hundreds of years.

Where Does It Grow?

This plant mainly grows in Mexico. It can also be found in the southwestern United States. However, it probably arrived there from Mexico.

What Does It Look Like?

These plants can grow to be a little over two feet tall. Many wild plants are often smaller. S. cardiophyllum has small tubers, which are like tiny potatoes. They are about an inch wide.

Why Is It Special?

Even though its tubers are small, they are very tasty. This is rare for wild potato plants. The flavor is very similar to the potatoes we eat every day. Some of these plants have very low levels of a natural chemical called glycoalkaloids. This means they are safe and pleasant to eat.

See also

In Spanish: Solanum cardiophyllum para niños