Brinjal:

Eggplant (Solanum melongena), or aubergine, is a species of nightshade grown for its edible
fruit. Eggplant is the common name in North America and Australia, but British English uses
aubergine. It is known in South Asia, Southeast Asia and South Africa as brinjal. Other common
names are melongene, garden egg, or guinea squash.

The fruit is widely used in cooking. As a member of the genus Solanum, it is related to the
tomato and the potato. It was originally domesticated from the wild nightshade species, the thorn or
bitter apple, S. incanum, probably with two independent domestications, one in South Asia and one
in East Asia.

In tropical and subtropical climates, eggplant can be sown directly into the garden. Eggplant
grown in temperate climates fares better when transplanted into the garden after all danger of frost
has passed. Seeds are typically started eight to ten weeks prior to the anticipated frost-free date.
Solanum melongena is included on a list of low flammability plants, indicating that it is suitable for
growing within a building protection zone.