Kingdom:
Phylum:
Angiosperms
Order:
Solanales
Family:
Genus:
Species:
melastomoides
ID:
1030123

Status:
valid

Authors:
C.H.Wright

Source:
SolanaceaeSource.org

Year:
1894

Citation Micro:
Bull. Misc. Inform. Kew 1894: 128. 1894.

WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001029461

Common Names

  • Melastomoides Nightshade
  • Blackberry Nightshade
  • Blackberry Solanum

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Description

Solanum melastomoides (also called 'Black-seeded Nightshade', 'Black-seeded Tomato' and 'Black-seeded Potato', among many other common names) is a perennial herbaceous plant native to South America. It has a sprawling habit and grows up to 3 feet tall. Its leaves are ovate to lanceolate, and its flowers are white or purple. It is found in disturbed habitats, open woodlands, and along roadsides.

Uses & Benefits

Solanum melastomoides is used as an ornamental plant and as a source of food for birds and other wildlife.

Flower, Seeds and Seedlings

The flower of Solanum melastomoides is white and star-shaped, with five petals and yellow anthers. The seed is a round, black berry, containing several small, hard seeds. The seedlings are small, with a single pair of cotyledons and a single stem.

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Cultivation and Propagation

Solanum melastomoides can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-draining soil mix and kept moist until germination. Cuttings should be taken from healthy, mature plants and rooted in a moist soil mix. Both methods should be done in a warm, sunny location.

Where to Find Solanum melastomoides

Solanum melastomoides can be found in the Andes Mountains of South America.

Species in the Solanum genus

Solanum aemulans, Solanum blanco-galdosii, Solanum brucheri, Solanum edinense, Solanum michoacanum, Solanum procurrens, Solanum rechei, Solanum sambucinum, Solanum vallis-mexici, Solanum abitaguense, Solanum abollatum, Solanum abortivum, Solanum absconditum, Solanum abutilifolium, Solanum abutiloides, Solanum acanthodapis, Solanum acanthodes, Solanum acaule, Solanum accrescens, Solanum acerifolium, Solanum achorum, Solanum acroglossum, Solanum acropterum, Solanum acroscopicum, Solanum actaeibotrys, Solanum actephilum, Solanum aculeastrum, Solanum aculeatissimum, Solanum acuminatum, Solanum acutilobum, Solanum adenobasis, Solanum adenophorum, Solanum adoense, Solanum adscendens, Solanum adspersum, Solanum aethiopicum, Solanum affine, Solanum africanum, Solanum agnewiorum, Solanum agnoston, Solanum agrarium, Solanum agrimoniifolium, Solanum ajanhuiri, Solanum alatirameum, Solanum albescens, Solanum albicans, Solanum albidum, Solanum albornozii, Solanum albostellatum, Solanum aldabrense,

Species in the Solanaceae family

References

Charles Henry Wright (1864-1941): Based on occurrence of standard abbreviation 'C.H.Wright' in the authors string.
Solanaceae Source record for this taxon: Based on the initial data import