Solanum torvum
Solanum capsicoides
bhankatiya, devil's fig, fausse aubergine, kausoni, prickly solanum, terongan, turkey berry
cockroach berry
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.
petiolate;
petiole 2–10(–13) cm;
blade simple, broadly ovate, 4–15 × 4–15 cm, margins shallowly to deeply lobed with 2–3 lobes per side, lobe margins entire to coarsely lobed, base cordate.
extra-axillary, unbranched or branched, 10–20-flowered, to 6 cm.
extra-axillary, ± sessile, unbranched, 1–7-flowered.
1–1.5 cm in flower, erect and 1.5–2.5 cm in fruit.
ca. 1 cm in flower, 1.5–2 cm in fruit.
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.
radially symmetric;
calyx somewhat accrescent, sometimes prickly, 4–6 mm, pubescent with minute glands and longer, simple, eglandular hairs, lobes triangular;
corolla white, stellate, 1.5–2 cm diam., without interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers narrow and tapered, 5–6.5 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores;
ovary glabrous.
green to yellow, globose, 1–1.5 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
dull orange to red, globose, 2–4 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
light brown, flattened, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 mm, minutely pitted.
yellow, flattened, winged at maturity, 4–6 × 4–6 mm, minutely pitted.
= 24.
= 24.
Solanum torvum
Solanum capsicoides
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.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Solanum capsicoides is presumed native to coastal Brazil and is grown as an ornamental for its showy red fruits. It has spread from cultivation and become naturalized in tropical and subtropical climates. In the flora region, it is found particularly in Florida. The name S. aculeatissimum Jacquin has been misapplied to S. capsicoides (for example, J. K. Small 1913; A. E. Radford et al. 1968; D. S. Correll and M. C. Johnston 1970; R. W. Long and O. Lakela 1971).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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