Solanum xanti
| Solanum xanti | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| (unranked): | Angiosperms |
| (unranked): | Eudicots |
| (unranked): | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Solanum |
| Species: | S. xanti |
| Binomial name | |
| Solanum xanti A. Gray | |
Solanum xanti, known commonly as chaparral nightshade, purple nightshade, and San Diego nightshade, is a member of the genus Solanum. It is native to the Western United States in Arizona, California, Nevada, and Oregon, and to Northwest Mexico in Baja California. [1]
The plant grows in chaparral, oak woodlands, conifer forests, desert Madrean Sky Islands, and other habitats. [2]
Description
Solanum xanti is a perennial herb or subshrub producing a branching hairy stem up to about 90 centimetres (35 in) in maximum height. The leaves are up to 7 centimeters long and are lance-shaped to oval, mostly unlobed except for occasional lobes at the bases of the blades.
It flowers from February to June in the wild, bearing an umbel-shaped inflorescence with many purple-blue flowers up to 3 centimeters wide. The fruit is a green berry 1 to 1.5 centimeters wide. [1]
Varieties
Varieties of the species include:
- Solanum xanti var. glabrescens — (endemic to California) [3]
- Solanum xanti var. hoffmannii — Hoffmann's Nightshade (endemic to California) [4]
- Solanum xanti var. intermedium — (endemic to California) [5]
- Solanum xanti var. montanum [6]
- Solanum xanti var. obispoense — San Luis Obispo nightshade (endemic to California) [7]
- Solanum xanti var. xanti [8]
Cultivation
The plant is cultivated as an ornamental plant by specialty plant nurseries for planting in perennial border, drought-tolerant and native plant gardens. It grows from sunny locations to dry shade, such as under native oaks. [9] [10] [11]
The plant is deer resistant, due to its poisonous qualities.
- Selections
Cultivars and varieties available include:
- Solanum xanti var. hoffmannii — Hoffmann's Nightshade (long bloom period) [12]
- Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' — Mountain Pride purple nightshade (large dark purple flowers) [13]
See also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Jepson . accessed 1.27.2013
- ↑ Calflora database: Solanum xanti . accessed 1.27.2013
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. glabrescens
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. glabrescens
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. intermedium
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. montanum
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. obispoense
- ↑ USDA Plants profile: Solanum xanti var. xanti
- ↑ CNPLX—California Native Plant Link Exchange: Solanum xanti — Nursery and Seed Sources . accessed 1.27.2013
- ↑ Las Pilitas Nursery: Solanum xanti — horticulture . accessed 1.27.2013
- ↑ San Marcos Growers: Solanum xanti . accessed 1.27.2013
- ↑ Las Pilitas Nursery: Solanum xanti hoffmannii
- ↑ San Marcos Growers: Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride'
External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solanum xanti. |
- Jepson Manual Treatment: Solanum xanti
- USDA Plants Profile: Solanum xanti (chaparral nightshade)
- Solanum xanti — U.C. Photo gallery