Solanum africanum
Solanum africanum is a species of plant in the nightshade family. It is found in South Africa.[1] This plant typically occurs near the coast up to an altitude of 200m.[2]
| Solanum africanum | |
|---|---|
 | |
Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Solanum |
| Species: | S. africanum |
| Binomial name | |
| Solanum africanum | |
Description
Solanum africanum is a perennial, herbaceous shrub or climber growing up to 3 meters tall.[2] The flowers are white to purple with a yellow centre, borne in pendulous clusters at the branch tips. The leaves are simple in shape, green, ovate to elliptic or lanceolate with acute apex, and the margin is often entire, but occasionally lobed. The fruit is a round berry, black when ripe, 15mm in diameter.
Taxonomy
Solanum africanum is a member of the family Solanaceae. This family includes nightshade, tomato, potato and chillies.
Distribution and habitat
This species is frequently found near coastal dunes in bush. It occurs from Cape Peninsula to KwaZulu-Natal. It flowers at any time in the year.
Conservation
The species has not been evaluated for the IUCN Red List.[3]