SOLANUM LUTEUM subsp. ALATUM

Family and Genus:- See- SOLANACEAE

Common Names:- None

Homotypic Synonyms:- Solanum alatum

Meaning:- Solanum (L) Comforter, an ancient Latin used by the Roman naturalist

and philosopher Pliny.

Luteum (L) Yellow, vile, of clay, muddy.

Alatum (L) Wing-like, winged (stems with protruding ridges).

General description:- A variable, low to medium, hairless or somewhat hairy

annual.

Stems:-

1) Moderately branched, 15-70 cm tall; ± terete. distinctly angled, with denticulate

ridges,

2) Branches and leaves, with short, appressed, eglanular hairs

Leaves:-

1) Alternate, simple, 2·5-7 x 2-4·5(-6) cm, ovate-rhombic to lanceolate, margins

entire to sinuate-dentate.

Flowers:-

1) Cymes, 3-5 flowered.

2) Corolla, 5-6 mm Æ white.

3) Fruiting peduncle, equalling or shorter than the pedicels.

Fruit:-

1) Berries, spherical, from 6-10 mm Æ, initially green, then red at maturity. Usually

longer than wide.

Key features:-

1) Cymes, 3-5 flowered.

2) Fruiting peduncle, equalling or shorter than the pedicels

3) Stem, distinctly angled, with denticulate ridges

4) Branches and leaves, with short, appressed, eglanular hairs

Click here for a glossary of terms used

Habitat:- Cultivated, bare, waste and disturbed ground, orchards, gardens, ruderal

habitats. 0-700 m.

Distribution:- C & S Europe and SW Asia, Widespread throughout the

Mediterranean region. A somewhat sporadic distribution on Crete.

Flowering time:- Apr-Aug sporadically at other times.

Photos by:- Thomas Giannakis