Eggplant, or Solanum melongena, got its name from a variety of the plant that -- unlike its prized, purple counterpart -- is white in color and much smaller in size.

The aubergine (Solanum melongena) is a member of the giant genus Solanum (containing around 1,400 species) within the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Aubergine is one of the most economically ...