Katabegun or Sticky nightshade, Solanum sisymbriifolium

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Katabegun or Jongli tomato (Solanum sisymbriifolium, family: Solanaceae) is an annual viscid and spiny herb native to South America and is currently distributed throughout the world. The viscid, hairy and spiny bush is found near water bodies, beside roads and fallow lands. The erect herb (about 1 meter tall) acts as an invasive weed in some parts of its range by out-competing local vegetation.

Common names: Sticky nightshade, Viscid nightshade, Wild tomato.


Spiny leaves are ovate-lanceolate, 4-6 lobed, 40 cm long and 25 cm wide. The leaves are borne on petioles 1-6 cm long and are pubescent both above and below with stellate and glandular hairs.


The 5-parted flowers are white, light blue, or mauve, about 3 cm in diameter, and are subtended by a hairy calyx 5-6 mm long. 


Vivid red, succulent, globular berries are edible, almost tastes like tomatoes; 12-20 mm in diameter with pale yellow seeds 2.9-3.2 mm long.


The plant is propagated by seeds.


The fruit is used as oral contraceptives. Extract of root is used in hypertension.

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Tulsi or Sacred basil, Ocimum tenuiflorum

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