Other popular names:
Brown tobacco wood, Bug shrub.

Scientific name:
Solanum mauritianum = Solanum auriculatum.

Translation :
Solanum mauritianum = Mauritius nightshade.
Solanum auriculatum = Nightshade.

Family :
Solanaceae.

Nature :
Plant plague.

Description :
A shrubby shrub that can reach 1 to 2 m in height, with long, downy stems, whose broad, long leaves are reminiscent of tobacco, dark green on the upper side, whitish on the lower side, downy. The terminal mauve-purple flowers, arranged in a corymb, can, if fertilized, become fruits, small globular yellow-green berries, the size of a cherry.

Presence on the island:
Naturalized.

Location :
Very widespread on the island, especially in the Highlands in grazed areas, it is a heliophilous plant, that is to say it thrives in sunny areas (clearings, roadsides, etc.).

Flowering period:
All year round.

Parts used:
Berries, leaves and whole plant.

Harvest period:
All year round.

Plantation:
There is no point in thinking about replanting the Brown Briarwood, as it is a plant pest that is already proliferating on the island.

History
Native to South America.

Use :
A medicinal plant.

Traditional uses:
- Against hemorrhoids. Externally (cooled decoction in lotion or sitz baths, or simply use fresh leaves as toilet paper).
- In Madagascar, against stomach and duodenal ulcers, as a general disinfectant. Internally (ingestion of salts obtained by washing the ashes of the plant, which mainly contain potash).
- In Madagascar, against hypotension and for the nerves. Internally (ingestion of salts obtained by washing the ashes of the plant).
- In Madagascar, against syphilis. Internally (ingestion of berries).
- In Madagascar, against scabies. Internally (leaf infusion).
- In Madagascar, against pain in the heel, foot, leg.
- In Madagascar, against side stitch.
- In Madagascar, against lice.
- In Mauritius, against rheumatism. Externally (ointment of seeds macerated in coconut oil).
- In New Caledonia, as a cholagogue (stimulates secretions and the flow of bile). Internally (decoction of leaves).
- In Brazil, against insects. Internally (fruit decoction) and externally (leaf smoke).

Contraindications:
May cause allergic reactions. Do not use the wrong side when using the Bringelier leaf as toilet paper, since its tomentose part is made up of hairs in the shape of fish hooks!

Other uses:
The leaves clean dishes, shine shoes and floors. The leaves are used to ripen green bananas and avocados.

- Image and content sources: book Plants and People