Eggplant (Solanum melongena 'Orlando')

The eggplant (Solanum melongena) in general, including the ‘Orlando’ cultivar, is *not* native to Orlando, Florida, or anywhere in the Americas.

**The eggplant is native to India and Southeast Asia.** It has been cultivated there for thousands of years.

While ‘Orlando’ is a cultivar name, likely developed and perhaps commercially grown in Florida, the **genetic origin of the *plant itself* is still India and Southeast Asia.** The name simply indicates where that specific variety was bred or is being marketed.