Solanum sturtianum
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species:
S. sturtianum
Binomial name
Solanum sturtianum

Solanum sturtianum, commonly known as Thargomindah nightshade,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is an upright shrub with grey-green leaves and purple flowers. This species is endemic to Australia.

Description

Solanum sturtianum is a upright, perennial shrub to 3 m (9.8 ft) high with silvery to grey-green foliage with a dense covering of star-shaped, short, matted hairs. The branches have scattered, numerous or a scarce covering of prickles. The leaves are silvery green coloured, lance-shaped, 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) long, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) wide, edges smooth, sometimes wavy, and the petiole 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The inflorescence consists of a few to about twelve flowers on a peduncle 0–15 mm (0.00–0.59 in) long, individual flowers on a pedicel 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long. The purple corolla is star-shaped, circular and flattened, and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter. Flowering may occur throughout the year and the fruit is a berry 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter, surface brittle and yellowish to brown-black.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Solanum sturtianum was first formally described in 1854 by Ferdinand von Mueller and the description was published in Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria.[3][4] The specific epithet (sturtianum) honours Charles Napier Sturt.[5]

Distribution and habitat

Thargomindah nightshade grows in arid areas of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[2]

References

  1. "Solanum sturtianum". Australian Plant Census. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  2. 1 2 3 Conn, B.J. "Solanum sturtianum". PlantNET-NSW flora online. Royal Botanic Garden Sydney. Retrieved 28 November 2021.
  3. von Mueller, Ferdinand (1855). "Solanum sturtianum". Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria. 1: 19. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  4. "Solanum sturtianum". Australian Plant Name Index. Retrieved 5 December 2021.
  5. Sharr, Francis Aubie (2019). Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings. Kardinya, Western Australia: Four Gables Press. p. 19. ISBN 9780958034180.
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