SIMLAW SEEDS BLACK NIGHTSHADE. (MANAGU)

BLACK NightShade (managu/Mnavu)

Many farmers in Kenya have realized the hidden treasure of this leafy indigenous vegetable called the Black Night Shade. Growing Managu has become a lucrative venture for both women and youth in the rural areas. The crop takes a short period of time to start paying back the original capital with little management, making it a viable agribusiness.

The plant is an erect, many-branched herb growing 0.5 to 1.0 m high. Managu bears thin, oval, slightly purplish leaves up to 15 cm in length. The plant has numerous white flowers and usually purple to black round berries about 0.75 cm in diameter containing many small, flattened, yellow seeds.

Most commonly, black nightshade is known for its immunity boosting powers and pain-eliminating abilities since it reduces inflammation and swelling in the body.The leaves of this plant are rich in antioxidants and help in strengthening the liver of a person consuming it on a regular basis. That’s why when someone is suffering from jaundice or any other liver disease then drinking the extracts of the black nightshade plant is advised for faster and better recovery

Ripe berries and cooked leaves of edible strains are used as food in some locales, and plant parts are used as a traditional medicine

LOCAL NAMES

Local Names:

Swahili —Mnavu

Kikuyu —Managu,

Luhya —Namaska,

 Luo —Osuga,

Kipsigis— Isoiyot,

 Kamba —Kitulu,

Maa —Ormomoi,

 Taita —Ndunda,

Luganda —Nsugga

Approximate number of seeds per gram is 800