Botanists have created a new "Frankenplant" that can grow both aubergines and potatoes and can now be purchased by the British public, according to the Mirror. Experts reportedly spent years splitting the plants' stems apart and then fusing them together to create the hybrid and experimented with more than 20 varities of aubergine before determining the most ideal one in terms of size and performance. The unique dual-cropper can grow approximately two kilograms of potatoes from its roots and four aubergines, also known as eggplants, from its stems.
Although aubergines and potatoes belong to the same plant family, the Solanaceae, the creators of the unique hybrid plants are not releasing any information on the exact variety of potatoes or aubergine that were used in the creation of their product in order to avoid other companies replicating their work.
The sturdy potato plant reportedly supports the aubergine better than its own root system in British soil, according to the Daily Mail, and the hybrid plant is best grown in sunny spots in the garden that provide adequate shelter; pots placed on patios or balconies are also suitable.
"For seasoned veg growers this is a really novel development," said Michael Perry, the product development manager for Suffolk-based Thompson & Morgan. "For those without the luxury of an allotment or large vegetable patch it makes the most of available space in the garden. It also dispels the myth that you need to salt, wash and dry aubergines to draw out bitter juices before cooking - a laborious chore that has put many people off growing these Mediterranean plants in the UK."
The company selling the plant, referred to as Egg and Chips, sells for £14.99 and claims the product will get children interested in growing and harvesting plants.
Aubergine harvesting can be conducted at the end of the summer, and potatoes can be harvested two weeks later, according to Telegraph.
