Solanum torvum

Shrubs or trees, erect, sparsely to moderately armed, 1–4 m, prickles brownish, straight to recurved, 3–7 mm, moderately to densely pubescent, hairs sessile to short-stalked, stellate, 4–8-rayed, central ray shorter than or equal to lateral rays, moderately pubescent with unbranched, glandular hairs on inflorescences and calyces. Leaves petiolate; petiole 1–5 cm; blade simple, ovate to elliptic, 7–23 × 4–14 cm, margins subentire to coarsely lobed with 3–4 lobes per side, lobe margins entire to coarsely lobed, base truncate to subcordate and asymmetrical. Inflorescences extra-axillary, unbranched or branched, 10–20-flowered, to 6 cm. Pedicels 1–1.5 cm in flower, erect and 1.5–2.5 cm in fruit. Flowers radially symmetric; calyx slightly accrescent, unarmed, 4–8 mm, sparsely to moderately pubescent with unbranched, gland-tipped hairs, lobes lanceolate; corolla white, stellate, 2–3 cm diam., with sparse interpetalar tissue; stamens equal; anthers narrow and tapered, 6–9 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores; ovary glabrous or glandular-puberulent at apex. Berries green to yellow, globose, 1–1.5 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules. Seeds light brown, flattened, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 mm, minutely pitted. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering year-round in frost-free areas.
Habitat: Disturbed sites.
Elevation: 0–10 m.

Ala., Fla., Mexico, West Indies, Central America, South America (Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, French Guiana, Guyana, Venezuela), introduced in Asia, Africa, Indian Ocean Islands, Pacific Islands, Australia.

Discussion

Solanum torvum is listed by the United States federal government and several states as a noxious weed. It is occasional to rare in peninsular Florida and could possibly become invasive elsewhere in subtropical climates. The green fruits are used in Asian and West Indian cuisine, often as an addition to soups and curries.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa