Solanaceae FAMILY

Metternichia princeps

Edibility

0/5

Medicinal

0/5

Safety & Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most plants in the family Solanaceae also contain poisonous alkaloids. Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant^[PFAF].

Cultivation Details

HabitSemi-deciduous Tree

GrowthFast

Succeeds in full sun to moderate dappled shade^[1]. Usually found in the wild in well-drained soils^[1]. A fairly fast-growing plant when young, easily reaching a height of 2 metres or more within 2 years from seed^[1].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of around 40% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 15 - 25 days^[1]. Cite as: Tropical Plants Database, Ken Fern. tropical.theferns.info. 2026-02-20. <tropical.theferns.info/viewtropical.php?id=Metternichia+princeps>

Pollinators

Data unavailable

References

[1]Brazilian Trees. Volume 3. — Lorenzi. H. · Instituto Plantarum De Estudos Da Flora; Brazil. · 2009 · ISBN 85-86714-34-4 ↩︎Information on 350 species of Brazilian trees. Stunning photographs of each species, brief details on the plant, its uses and how to grow it from seed. A superb work, with the minor irritation that the translation from Portuguese is not of the best.
[PFAF]Plants for a Future — pfaf.org ↩︎