Indonesia’s National Research and Innovation Agency (BRIN) has identified a new species of spiny eggplant in Kalimantan, underscoring the country’s rich biodiversity and ongoing scientific exploration of native plant species. This was reported by
ANTARA.
The species, named Solanum kalimantanense T. Djarwaningsih, E.L. Agustiani and M.R. Hariri, was identified by researchers from BRIN’s Research Centre for Biosystematics and Evolution together with the Research Center for Ecology.
Researcher Muhammad Rifqi Hariri explained that the plant possesses distinctive morphological characteristics that differentiate it from related Solanum species found across Southeast Asia. Among its notable features are leaves with nearly equal length and width, shallow lobes, sparse fine hairs on mature fruits, and larger fruit compared with Solanum lasiocarpum. DNA analysis using Internal Transcribed Spacer (ITS) markers also confirmed clear genetic distinctions from closely related species.
Researchers noted that local communities have long been familiar with the plant under the names “terong asam” and “terong dayak”, using it both as a food source and in traditional practices.
According to researcher Esthi L Agustiani, Solanum kalimantanense grows in a range of environments, from sandy loam to acidic black soils, at altitudes between 9 and 1,700 metres above sea level. The species has been documented in parts of East and South Kalimantan, although preliminary assessments indicate that its population remains limited and may qualify as vulnerable under International Union for Conservation of Nature criteria.