586 



BOTANY OF CROP PLANTS 



to insure fruit production. The fruit is a berry, 3 to 6 inches 

 in diameter, smooth, and varying in color (Fig. 239). Egg- 

 plant is a native of India. All cultivated varieties require 

 high temperatures. They are usually transplanted. They 

 are used exclusively as a table vegetable. 



Fig. 239. — Egg plant (Solanum melongena) . A, mature fruit; B, leaves; C, 



single flower. 



Types and Varieties. — Bailey has divided the eggplants 

 into three varieties, as follows : 



1. 5. melongena var. esculentum (Common Eggplant). — 

 The plants are tall and stout, the leaves large and thick, and 

 the fruit large and usually spherical or oblong. There are 

 forms in this group with purple fruit (Black Pekin, New York 



