Accession Count: 3
Common Name:
potato tree, mullein nightshade, velvet nightshade
Family Name:
Solanaceae
Botanical Name:
Solanum erianthum
Sub Species:
Variety:
Forma:
Cultivar:
Characteristics:
Solanum erianthum is a small, but fast growing with a flat-topped spreading crown. The limbs flexible and long and strong enough to support nesting birds. It grows 2-8 meters tall (50-20 feet tall) with a narrow trunk or several small trunks. The bark is greyish-brown, and smooth. In Spring, it produces creamy white flowers that turn into yellow berries with many seeds (3). The entire plant, including the berries, leaves and stems, are densely covered with trichomes (hairs). The specific epithet of the species name means "wooly flower" in reference to the hairs on the flowers (3).
Compound:
Sol eri
Geographic Origin:
Mexican Tropics
Ecozone Origin:
Neotropic
Biome Origin:
Natural History:
Solanum erianthum is often found in the United States as well as in central extending south to the northern tip of South America. Sometime in the 16th century, it is likely that the Solanum erianthum was introduced to the Philippines, which led to its spread into Asia and Australia. Similarly, it may have been introduced to West Africa with the slave trade between Africa and North America.
Cultivation Notes:
The potato tree has many different uses depending on the country in which it is found. It has been cultivated as a landscape ornamental and used as a medicinal plant. It can be grown from seed but also spreads into clumping mounds as adventitious shoots arise from the roots (3). In some areas, the straight species is invasive species. To control spread and avoid invasion, it is recommended that nursery cultivars be planted. Well drained soil is preferred.
Ethnobotany:
Most members of this family contain potent alkaloids, which, in the case of S. erianthum is hallucinogenic or acutely toxic when consumed (3). Alkaloids extracted from the fruits and leaves are used to make make synthetic steroids while in some cultures they are used as a hunting dart poison. In traditional medicine, extracts from the plant are believed to rid the body of impurities and relieve headaches and vertigo. In other areas such as West Africa, it’s believed that a concoction made using the leaves could be used to cure malaria, sexually transmitted diseases and leprosy. Its roots could be used to treat dysentery, fever, diarrhea and digestive problems. Some other uses include use as a cleaning product as a food source (when cooked) and as a landscape ornamental shade tree.
Height:
16 - 20 feet
Width:
6 - 10 feet
Growth Rate:
Fast Growing
Grow Season:
Spring
Flower Season:
Spring
Color:
Yellow
Function:
Accent
Spread:
Non-spreading
Allergen:
Non-allergenic
Invasive:
Invasive
Toxicity:
Benign
Hardy:
Semi-hardy
Water Use:
Moderate Water Use
Citations:
1.) http://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/120139 . Retrieved May 10, 2017.
2.) http://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Solanum_erianthum_(PROTA). Retrieved May 10, 2017.
