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,[1] 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. [2]
The plant grows in chaparral, oak woodlands, conifer forests, desert Madrean Sky Islands, and other habitats. [3]
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. [2]
Varieties
Varieties of the species include:
- Solanum xanti var. glabrescens — (endemic to California) [4]
- Solanum xanti var. hoffmannii — Hoffmann's nightshade (endemic to California) [5]
- Solanum xanti var. intermedium — (endemic to California) [6]
- Solanum xanti var. montanum [7]
- Solanum xanti var. obispoense — San Luis Obispo nightshade (endemic to California) [8]
- Solanum xanti var. xanti [9]
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. [10] [11] [12]
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) [13]
- Solanum xanti 'Mountain Pride' — Mountain Pride purple nightshade (large dark purple flowers) [14]
See also
References
- ↑ "Solanum xanti". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 17 November 2015.
- 1 2 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