The Solanum genus contain a variable number of annual and perennial plants. Whilst most are poisonous, there are a number of edible fruits, leaves, tubers, including the cultivated species known as ‘bush tomato’ or ‘bush raisin’, which include Solanum esuriale, S. centrale, S. ellipticum and S. cleistogamum (although S. coactiliferum is only edible after removal of the skin).

In Central Australia and the Northern Territory, the genus Solanum that include the bush tomato are usually found as small shrubs anywhere from 20 cm to about 1 metre in height. With a covering of  hairs, the star-shaped flowers are mostly in clusters, often purple, with variation of lilac and pink, and have the yellow anthers projecting from the centre of each flower.
 

The wild tomato are often seen along roadside, and can be seen in colonies in most outback habitats, especially after fire or rain.