Eggplants (Solanum melongena) are delightfully versatile ... eggplant is an heirloom variety that produces large, dark purple fruit, perfect for grilled eggplant steaks or eggplant parmesan.

and why are there so many English names for the fruit? Eggplant, or Solanum melongena, got its name from a variety of the plant that -- unlike its prized, purple counterpart -- is white in color ...