Mt. Maroon Nightshade (Solanum sp. (most likely S. ditrichum))

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Photo by Neil Ross

Published on Project Noah

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Field Notes

Description:

This very 'anti-social' species of Solanum is a local member of the nightshade family Solanaceae. I've narrowed the spotting down to two possible contenders - S. ditrichum and S. campanulatum, (but not ruling out other possibilities), and both are Australian natives. I'm leaning towards S. ditrichum because it has been documented in Girraween, and physical characteristics match. http://solanaceaesource.org/content/solanum-ditrichum (see commentary).... "Solanum ditrichum is closely related to S. campanulatum R. Br. It differs from S. campanulatum by having pale seeds, acute leaf lobes, the calyx scarcely accrescent, finger hairs very short on upper leaf surface, and the stellate hairs rare or absent on branchlets. Solanum campanulatum is restricted to the greater Sydney area (New South Wales), as far north as Denman and Scone. The mature fruits of S. ditrichum remain green to yellowish-green at maturity, although they may have some light streaking of purple at the pedicel end (R. Fensham, pers. comm.)" Other good references for S. ditrichum.... http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/efsa/lucid/Solanaceae/Solanum%20species/key/… https://www.delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/ditrichu.htm A good reference for S. campanulatum, but note there is a contradiction with the range of this species when compared to the other references.... http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/efsa/lucid/Solanaceae/Solanum%20species/key/… A third less-likely species is Solanum adenophorum, but I'm unable to find any local record.... http://www.flora.sa.gov.au/efsa/lucid/Solanaceae/Solanum%20species/key/…

Habitat:

Spotted along the Racecourse Creek Track in Girraween National Park, southeast Queensland. Dry sclerophyll forest with sandy granite soils, rocky location with accumulated leaf litter, on the slopes of a granite monolith known as Panorama Hill. Looking fresh after recent rain. Here's some park info - http://www.rymich.com/girraween/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Girraween_National_Park

Notes:

Two excellent resources: (1) Flora of Australia - Solanaceae.... http://www.environment.gov.au/system/files/pages/94a0be92-9b0b-42f6-b37…
(2) Solanaceae Source - A global taxonomic resource for the nightshade family.... http://solanaceaesource.org/?spnumber=1516 Solanum is a cosmopolitan genus of c.1500 species, chiefly in tropical and sub-tropical Central and South America, with secondary centres of speciation in Australia and Africa. In Australia, there are c.200 species, many of which are native and endemic. PS: Once again, many thanks to the good people at the "Queensland Plant Identification" group on Facebook, for their assistance to ID this spotting. It was also pointed out that native Solanum is more likely to grow on rocky outcrops, whereas weeds will usually grow in fertile disturbed areas. It doesn't get much rockier than Girraween!