Long Purple eggplant is first mentioned by B.K. Bliss and son of New York in 1870, years later in 1877 by Peter Henderson Seed Company. Later mentioned by 1886 by D.M. Ferry An Italian Heirloom. Long Purple has a milder, more delicate flavor than regular eggplant. The Long Purple has just a few seeds and a thin skin that makes it easy to cook. Long Purple grows 24"-30" in height. Eggplants prefer rich, deep, loose soils with large amounts of organic material. The eggplant, and its close relative the tomato, were considered poisonous for many years. It is a member of the Solanaceae family that includes a number of toxic weeds like Deadly Nightshade. Eventually the adventurous began to try eating eggplant and it even earned a reputation as an aphrodisiac. But, it's only been in the last 100 years that eggplant has been widely accepted as a vegetable. The large-fruited varieties probably originated in India while the smaller eggplants are thought to have come from China. Zones 3-10 All seeds are packaged and for the current growing season. PLEASE SEE MY OTHER SEED LISTINGS