Solanum nigrum L.

Leunca, or black nightshade (Solanum nigrum), is a small herb or shrub about 1.5 meters tall of the Solanaceae family, native to South America and now widely distributed across Africa, Asia, and Oceania. Its small green fruit is commonly eaten raw as a fresh side dish or mixed into Sundanese dishes. Traditionally, black nightshade is also used to relieve pain, inflammation, and urinary tract infections.

Generally easy to grow in highlands or lowlands. Favors a wet climate, full sun, and can be planted in any soil type with a soil pH of 6-6.5. This plant is sensitive to drought.
 

• Roots taproot, brownish-white.
• Stem erect, and green.
• Leaves simple, green, oblong, 5-7.5 cm long. Pinnate venation, pointed tip and base, smooth margins.
• Flowers compound, white, small corolla. Flower stalk pale green and hairy.
• Fruit round, green when young, glossy black when mature, with many seeds.
• Seeds round and flat, small, white to dark brown.

• Generative propagation (by seed): seeds are sown first. After 4-6 weeks old, transplant the seedlings to the field (garden). Planting spacing of 40 x 40 cm.
• Vegetative propagation (stem cuttings) by cutting a 20 cm stem section and planting in a growing medium.
   

Saponins, tannins, alkaloids (solasodine, solasonine, solamargine), flavonoids, steroids, glycosides, phytosterols, benzoisovanillin, syringic acid.

Relieves pain and inflammation; acts as an anthelmintic; addresses urinary tract infections; lowers high blood pressure; has antiseptic, antidysenteric, antipyretic, and anticancer activity.
 

• Pick black nightshade fruit that is still green, then sort out debris or other unwanted material.
• Wash with clean water, then sun-dry for 1 day.
• Finely slice. Once sliced, dry the black nightshade fruit in an oven at 30 °C.
• Sort again to remove debris or foreign material other than the intended material.
• Store the dried material in a dry location at room temperature.

Ranti (Java), Bobosa (Maluku).