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Solanum wrightii Benth.
| Family Name: | Solanaceae |
| Synonyms: | Solanum macranthum, Solanum maroniense, Solanum grandiflorum |
| Common Name: | Potato Tree, Brazilian Potato Tree, 大花茄 |
Name
Classifications and Characteristics
| Plant Division | Angiosperms (Flowering Seed Plants) (Dicotyledon) |
|---|---|
| Plant Growth Form | Tree (Small (6m-15m), Shrubby (1m-5m)), Shrub |
| Lifespan (in Singapore) | Perennial |
| Mode of Nutrition | Autotrophic |
| Plant Shape | Irregular |
| Maximum Height | 4.5 m to 9 m |
| Maximum Plant Spread / Crown Width | 4.5 m |
Biogeography
| Native Distribution | Brazil, Bolivia |
|---|---|
| Preferred Climate Zone | Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal |
Description and Ethnobotany
| Others - Plant Morphology | Growth Form: Evergreen shrub or tree Trunk: Trunk has light grey, fissured bark and bears sharp, curved thorns. Herbaceous branch tips are pubescent (covered in soft hairs). Foliage: Deeply lobed, hairy leaves are broadly ovate and have wavy leaf margin (30 cm long, 15 - 20 cm wide). There are long, straight thorns on the bottom side of the midrib and petiole. Flowers: Five-lobed, star-shaped flowers (6.5 - 7.5 cm wide) have long, bright yellow anthers which are pollen-bearing structures. Petals are initially dark purple, but fade to light purple and then white over several days. Bisexual or male flowers occur in small tri-coloured clusters known as racemes. Fruits: Round, fleshy fruits are known as berries (3 - 4 cm wide). Landscaping: This species is planted for its large, colourful flowers which are produced throughout the year. It is best planted alone as a specimen plant. Although normally planted in the ground, it will grow well in large containers placed on a sunny patio. Cultivation: This species grows and flowers best in full sun, but it can also tolerate light shade. It should be planted in fertile, well-draining soil enriched with compost. Apply mulch to the base of the plant to conserve soil moisture. This species has a dense, irregular crown which should be thinned with selective pruning to prevent the tree from leaning. Use formative pruning to produce a more pleasing crown shape. Propagation: Propagate by seed, stem cuttings or air layering. Etymology: The species epithet "wrightii" was named after American botanist Charles Wright (1811 - 1885). |
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Landscaping Features
| Desirable Plant Features | Ornamental Flowers, Ornamental Foliage, Fragrant (Flowers) (Day) |
|---|---|
| Landscape Uses | Container Planting, General, Focal Plant |
| Thematic Landscaping | Fragrant / Aromatherapy Garden |
| Usage Hazard - Cons | Spines/Thorns - Stem/Branch, Spines/Thorns - Trunk, Spines/Thorns - Leaf |
Plant Care and Propagation
| Light Preference | Full Sun |
|---|---|
| Water Preference | Moderate Water |
| Plant Growth Rate | Moderate |
| Rootzone Tolerance | Fertile Loamy Soils, Well-Drained Soils |
| Maintenance Requirements | Moderate |
| Propagation Method | Seed, Stem Cutting, Air-Layering |
Foliar
| Foliage Retention | Evergreen |
|---|---|
| Mature Foliage Colour(s) | Green |
| Mature Foliage Texture(s) | Hairy / Hirsute, Spiny / Bristly / Stinging |
| Foliar Modification | Prickle / Emergence (blade) |
| Foliar Type | Simple / Unifoliate |
| Foliar Shape(s) | Non-Palm Foliage (Ovate) |
| Foliar Venation | Pinnate / Net |
| Foliar Margin | Entire - Wavy / Undulate |
| Foliar Apex - Tip | Acute |
| Foliar Base | Rounded / Obtuse |
| Typical Foliar Area | Macrophyll ( 182.25cm2 - 1640.25 cm2 ) |
| Leaf Area Index (LAI) for Green Plot Ratio | 3.0 (Tree - Intermediate Canopy) |
Non - Foliar and Storage
| Trunk Type (Non Palm) | Woody |
|---|---|
| Bark Colour(s) | Light grey |
| Mature Bark Texture | Fissured |
| Stem Type & Modification | Woody |
| Root Type | Underground (Tap Root) |
Floral (Angiosperm)
| Flower & Plant Sexuality | Bisexual Flowers |
| Flower Colour(s) | Purple, White |
|---|---|
| Flower Symmetry | Radial |
| Individual Flower Shape | Stellate / Star-shaped |
| Flower Size - Remarks | 6.5 - 7.5 cm wide |
| Inflorescence Type | Raceme |
| Flowering Period | Free-Flowering |
| Flower Lifespan on Plant | Several Days |
| Flowering Habit | Polycarpic |
| Inflorescence Size Remarks | Purple --> Light Purple --> White |
Fruit, Seed and Spore
| Mature Fruit Colour(s) | Yellow / Golden |
|---|---|
| Fruit Classification | Simple Fruit |
| Fruit Type | Fleshy Fruit , Berry |
Image Repository
Others
| Master ID | 1838 |
|---|---|
| Species ID | 3131 |
| Flora Disclaimer | The information in this website has been compiled from reliable sources, such as reference works on medicinal plants. It is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment and NParks does not purport to provide any medical advice. Readers should always consult his/her physician before using or consuming a plant for medicinal purposes. |
