Eggplant - A perennial or sub-shrub native to tropical Asiatic
regions.  In these regions eggplant is a staple vegetable in native
cuisine.  These members of the potato family have large oblong
leaves of blue-green and bear lavender blue flowers throughout
the year.  These lavender blue flowers give way to oval fruits of
extreme density.  The beautiful characteristics are why this
plant was brought to Europe during the Middle Ages and
cultivated as an ornamental annual.   Now the eggplant has
become a seasonal vegetable crop in many southern European
countries and the United States.