Solanum viarum
Solanum diphyllum
tropical soda apple
twinleaf nightshade, twoleaf nightshade
petiolate;
petiole 3–6 cm;
blade simple, ovate to suborbiculate, 7–10(–20) × 6–8(–15) cm, margins coarsely lobed with 3–5 lobes per side, lobe margins entire to coarsely toothed, base truncate to cordate.
petiolate;
petiole 0.2–0.5 cm;
blade simple, elliptic, 0.9–6.8 × 0.6–2.2 cm, margins entire, base acute to attenuate or decurrent.
extra-axillary, sessile or nearly so, unbranched, 3–5-flowered.
leaf-opposed, unbranched, 5–20-flowered, 0.3–1.2 cm.
0.7–1.1 cm in flower, 1–2 cm in fruit.
ca. 0.5 cm in flower, ca. 1.2 cm and erect in fruit.
radially symmetric;
calyx somewhat accrescent, unarmed or sparsely prickly, 3–4 mm, densely pubescent, lobes triangular;
corolla greenish or whitish, stellate, 1.5–2.5 cm diam., without interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers narrow and tapered, 5.5–7(–10) mm, dehiscent by terminal pores;
ovary densely pubescent, hairs glandular and eglandular.
radially symmetric;
calyx somewhat accrescent, unarmed, 1.5–2 mm, glabrous, lobes deltoid;
corolla white, often tinged with lavender, stellate, 0.7–1 cm diam., without interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers oblong, 1.5–2 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores that open into longitudinal slits;
ovary glabrous.
light green mottled with dark green when young, yellow when ripe, globose, (1.5–)2–3 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
yellow to orange, globose, 0.7–1.2 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
reddish brown, flattened, 2–3 × 2–2.5 mm, minutely pitted.
pale yellow or tan, flattened, ca. 3 × 2.5 mm, minutely pitted.
= 24.
= 24.
Solanum viarum
Solanum diphyllum
In the United States, Solanum viarum was first collected in Florida in 1988 and has subsequently become an aggressive and invasive species in the Southeast. It is on the Federal Noxious Weeds List and is classified as a noxious weed or plant pest in many states. Cattle and other animals eat the fruits and spread the seeds through their feces, and the seeds are coated with a sticky substance that makes them adhere to farm equipment when the plants are mowed. It can form large patches that are difficult to eradicate due to their extensive root systems and sharp prickles. It is a major agricultural pest and a threat to native ecosystems.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Solanum diphyllum is often cultivated for its brightly colored fruits and can escape from cultivation in tropical and subtropical areas. It occurs sporadically and does not appear to be common, but in other areas where it has escaped it has become naturalized (Asia; S. Knapp 2002b).
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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