Solanum torvum
Solanum tampicense
bhankatiya, devil's fig, fausse aubergine, kausoni, prickly solanum, terongan, turkey berry
aquatic soda apple, scrambling nightshade
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 1–4 cm;
blade simple, ovate, 4–16 × 2–6 cm, margins shallowly to moderately lobed with 2–5 lobes per side, lobe margins entire, base cuneate and slightly decurrent.
extra-axillary, unbranched or branched, 10–20-flowered, to 6 cm.
extra-axillary, unbranched, 3–10-flowered, 1–4 cm.
1–1.5 cm in flower, erect and 1.5–2.5 cm in fruit.
0.5–2 cm in flower and 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 not accrescent, sometimes prickly, 2–5 mm, glabrous, lobes narrowly triangular;
corolla white to cream, stellate, 1.5–2 cm diam., without interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers narrow and tapered, 4–6 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores;
ovary glabrous.
green to yellow, globose, 1–1.5 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
red, globose, 0.5–0.8 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
light brown, flattened, 2.5–3 × 2–2.5 mm, minutely pitted.
yellow, flattened, 1.5–2 × 1–1.5 mm, minutely pitted and ridged.
= 24.
Solanum torvum
Solanum tampicense
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.)
In the flora area, Solanum tampicense is found in central and southern Florida. A single population was found in 2016 in Cameron County, Texas. It was first collected in Florida in 1983, and although not common, it has the potential to become invasive. It is listed by the United States federal government and several states as a noxious weed. It is a species of riverbanks and swamps, where it can form impenetrable, spiny thickets.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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