Jaltomata procumbens
creeping false holly
4- or 5-sided [angular], to 8 [13] dm, glabrous [pubescent].
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.
6[–18]-flowered;
peduncle rarely absent, green to purplish green, to 3[–7.5] cm.
green, with raised longitudinal ridges, to 2[–3] cm.
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.
black to dark purple [rarely green], to 12 × 14 [14 × 17] mm.
= 24.
Jaltomata procumbens
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.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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