Solanum melongena

The species of Solanum determines what type of growth you can expect. Tomato's and the potato have similar looking plant growth. Both are annual vegetables with green fleshy stems and leaves with small flowers that will bloom through out the growing season. Some species also grow like vines and either produce no fruit or some that is very poor for eating. Depending on species, vines in the Solanum genus can either be annual or semi perennial depending on the zone where growing occurs. Blue Potato Bush is a semi woody, shrub like plant grown for it's semi fragrant blue flowers. Plant parts of most species of Solanum are quite poisonous. Only the fruit's of Tomato, Potato and Eggplant can be consumed. Other species fruit should be avoided. Winter Cherry produces small round poisonous fruits that should never be eaten.