# "Wonder egg" plant from Japan. What is it? **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [March 17, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676 "2008-03-17T18:38:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 6\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/1 "2008-03-17T18:38:01Z")
Every year I try something new + unusual in my garden. This year I’m trying “wonder eggs”. > **[E-Burgess](https://www.eburgess.com/404)** > > Some of the largest, oldest and most loved growers and distributors of nursery stock have joined together to provide EBurgess Seed and Plant Co. This site offers the finest flowers, shrubs, trees, and seeds available at prices you won't believe. I’m trying to find more information about this plant. I’ve never seen an actual photo or scientific name, and as you might guess, google comes up with lots of info on regular egg plant. The only info I have is from that website, and the seed pack says the country of origin is Japan. Any further info would be appreciated. Anyone tried these? ---
**Author:** ![WoodenTaco](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/45deac/32.png) [@WoodenTaco](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WoodenTaco)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/2 "2008-03-17T19:16:52Z")
It’s a _solanum ovigerum_, also known as a white eggplant, ornamental eggplant, or Easter eggplant. Some links: > **[PlantFiles: Solanum Species, Easter Egg Plant, Ornamental Eggplant](https://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/1383/)** > > Browse pictures and read growth / cultivation information about Solanum Species, Easter Egg Plant, Ornamental Eggplant (Solanum ovigerum) supplied by member gardeners in the PlantFiles database at ... > **[HS594/MV061: Eggplant, White—Solanum ovigerum Dun. and Solanum melongena var....](https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/MV061)** > > University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences Extension outreach is a partnership between state, federal, and county governments to provide scientific knowledge and expertise to the public. The University of Florida (UF),... ---
**Author:** ![masterofnone](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4bbf92/32.png) [@masterofnone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/masterofnone)\ **Post date:** [March 17, 2008, 7:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/3 "2008-03-17T19:48:03Z")
Thanks! ---
**Author:** ![Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de053/32.png) [@Myron\_Van\_Horowitzski](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Myron_Van_Horowitzski)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 5:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/4 "2008-03-19T17:13:44Z")
Also available [here](http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=1884&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&scChannel=Text%20Search&SearchText=egg&OfferCode=V1H). I think I’ll try these myself. I didn’t realize they good to eat raw. I should have guessed by the specific nomenclature; _esculenta_ basically translates as “nummy.” ---
**Author:** ![Frylock](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/ce7236/32.png) [@Frylock](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Frylock)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 5:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/5 "2008-03-19T17:34:58Z")
[QUOTE=Myron Van Horowitzski] Also available [here](http://www.parkseed.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/StoreCatalogDisplay?storeId=10101&catalogId=10101&langId=-1&mainPage=prod2working&ItemId=1884&PrevMainPage=textsearchresults&scChannel=Text%20Search&SearchText=egg&OfferCode=V1H). I think I’ll try these myself. I didn’t realize they good to eat raw. I should have guessed by the specific nomenclature; _esculenta_ basically translates as “nummy.” [/QUOTE] And what does “nummy” basically translate as?" -FrL- ---
**Author:** ![freckafree](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/freckafree/32/3050_2.png) [@freckafree](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/freckafree)\ **Post date:** [March 19, 2008, 7:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/wonder-egg-plant-from-japan-what-is-it/441676/6 "2008-03-19T19:46:18Z")
[QUOTE=Frylock] And what does “nummy” basically translate as?" -FrL- [/QUOTE] Esculenta – DUH! D&R