Eggplant (Solanum melongena 'Orient Express')

While the cultivar name “Orient Express” might suggest an East Asian origin, the eggplant (Solanum melongena) itself is **native to India**.

Therefore, the likely origin of the plant species is **India**. The cultivar ‘Orient Express’ was most likely developed elsewhere (likely in Europe or North America) but still has its genetic roots in the Indian subcontinent.

Here’s why:

* **Solanum melongena (Eggplant):** This species originated in India. Domestication and early diversification occurred there.
* **’Orient Express’:** This is a specific cultivar of eggplant. Cultivars are often developed by breeders in different regions of the world, selecting for specific traits like color, shape, or disease resistance. The “Orient Express” name likely references the elongated shape of the fruit and might allude to the historical trade routes to Asia, but it doesn’t change the fundamental origin of the eggplant species.

So, while the name may be misleading, the plant’s true origin is India.