Stems 4- or 5-sided [angular], to 8 [13] dm, glabrous [pubescent]. Leaves: petiole winged or cune­ate, to 4.5 cm, wing tapering to base; blade ovate, to 13 × 8.5 cm [21 × 11 cm], margins entire or toothed, surfaces glabrate. Inflorescences 6[–18]-flowered; peduncle rarely absent, green to purplish green, to 3[–7.5] cm. Pedicels green, with raised longitudinal ridges, to 2[–3] cm. Flowers: calyx green [purple in fruit], 9–13 mm diam., 1.8–2.5 cm diam. in fruit; corolla 20–31 mm diam., adaxial face pilosulous; stamens with expanded bases; filaments ventrifixed, straight. Berries black to dark purple [rarely green], to 12 × 14 [14 × 17] mm. 2n = 24.

Phenology: Flowering Jul–Sep.
Habitat: Canyons, along streams, shade of oaks, shelter of rocks, alluvium, rhyolite, or other rich soils [disturbed habitats].
Elevation: 1000–1900[–2900] m.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., Mexico, Central America, South America (Colombia, Ecuador, Venezuela).

Discussion

Jaltomata procumbens is protogynous and self-pollination occurs in late-stage flowering. Plants culti­vated in the absence of pollinators (Connecticut) abun­dantly set fruit.

In Mexico, plants of Jaltomata procumbens are deliberately not weeded out of agricultural fields, and the fruits are gathered, consumed uncooked, and can be purchased in some markets (Tilton Davis and R. A. Bye 1982; D. E. Williams 1985; Davis 1986).

Jaltomata procumbens has been reported from Maryland, on a chrome ore pile at a seaport (C. F. Reed 1964). It may never have become naturalized in that state.

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

None.