Dear colleagues,
In a Dutch cesspit dated 1500-1650, I found a complete seed and
a fragment of Solanum melongena (aubergine in Dutch). There
is only one other record from the Netherlands, from Eindhoven
(1600-1650) by Hannie Luijten.
I would be pleased to hear of any other finds in (western) Europe.
Several edible Solanaceae originate from the new world, this one
as well??
The seeds of "aubergine" are similar to those of Capsicum annuum
(Spanish peppe/paprika), but the reticulate seed surface fades out
towards the centrum of the seed in Capsicum, and remains distinct
in Solanum melongena. This characteristic was independently
observed by Lucina Kubiak-Martens (BIAX), who found Capsicum
seed(s) in Amsterdam.
In this case, I would also be interested in negative reports, e.g.
the lack of Solanum melongena finds in (parts of) a country, such
as the one Julian Wiethold already gave me for (northern) Germany.
Unpublished finds are also welcome, and all will be fully acknowledged
in an article I'm preparing now (in Dutch..).
Thanks in advance,
oTTo
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