Skip to main content
Today is World Environment Day!
Close

Solanum

Solanum sp.

Photo by Mario VM
Published on Project Noah
Zoom
NominateNominate for Wildlife Photograph of the Month
reportFlag Spotting

18.4706, -97.4133

Field Notes

Description:

Shrub approximately up to 2m tall. Purple flowers (3-5 cm in diameter) with 5 yellow anthers arranged centrally in a cone, the style protruding from the middle of it. Leaves covered with short, silvery hairs; elongated, approx. 10-20cm in length. Fruits a small berry turning orange when mature and held erect; they remain attached to the plant after they dry out.

Habitat:

On empty lots, waste ground, and other open habitats. Dry ground.

Notes:

Very common in and near Tehuacan, Puebla, Mexico. Thrives in empty lots around the city. Flowering abundantly in December and January. Fruits are also present.

Species ID Suggestions

Silver Leaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Reference Link
Ivan Rodriguez
1

Comments (3)
Ivan Rodriguez
2 meters! That's most definitely not usual growth for S. elaeagnifolium. The tallest I've seen it get is almost a foot, and I agree that what we have here is probably something else. I know very little about plants to help out, unfortunately. Good luck with ID Mario!
Mario VM
Thanks! I agree with you that is very similar to S. elaeagnifolium, but I think this may be a different species as it grows up to 2 m tall and the leaves and flowers are different too. I have been looking for an ID for this plant for a while, and although its very common around Tehuacan, I haven´t managed to find one. Any further suggestions are most welcome!
Ivan Rodriguez
Resembles in many aspects a plant growing exactly as you've mentioned -- S. elaeagnifolium. What seems different though is the shape of the leaves; yours look almost completely oval, while the ones growing here are very wavy. And that little tomato-looking fruit turns yellow to ochre and then finally black in this species, so I'll let you decide. It's a beautiful capture, by the way!

Spotted for Missions

Mission
Flowers of North America

Tags

Photographed
PublishedDecember 31, 2011

Community Sponsor

Butterfly
Become a Community Sponsor and Help Grow our Global Movement!

Accelerate our Mission to Photograph 
Every Species in the World!

Butterflies icon
Become a Community Sponsor

Wildlife Community

Wildlife Community

Join a worldwide community passionate about wildlife and nature!

Join Project Noah

Nature School

Nature School

Transform your green space into a curiosity-creating nature classroom!

Visit Nature School

Wildlife Game

Wildlife Game

Defend wildlife throughout the jungle in thrilling nature game!

Play Baboon

Nature & Conservation Organizations

Brands & Mission-Focused Companies