Solanum melissarum is a small tree or shrub in the flowering plant family Solanaceae endemic to Brazil.[3]
Solanum melissarum | |
---|---|
![]() | |
Flower and flower buds | |
Conservation status | |
Scientific classification ![]() | |
Kingdom: | Plantae |
Clade: | Tracheophytes |
Clade: | Angiosperms |
Clade: | Eudicots |
Clade: | Asterids |
Order: | Solanales |
Family: | Solanaceae |
Genus: | Solanum |
Species: | S. melissarum |
Binomial name | |
Solanum melissarum Bohs | |
Synonyms[2] | |
Cyphomandra divaricata (Mart.) Sendtn. |
A small tree, from 1 to 6 metres high, usually with a single trunk. The crown of light branches carries simple, unlobed leaves. The flowering inflorescence is from 5 cm to 30 cm long, and carries 4 to 20 long, narrow flower buds. The narrow, slightly membranous flower petal are green-white. The petals curve upward at first opening, and become lax as the flower ages. The anthers are at first purple, changing to yellow-orange with age.[3]
The pendulous flowers have poricidal anthers close to the stigma, with membranous thecae joined by a connective bearing osmophores that attract males of Euglossa cordata bees. As they collect fragrances, the bees press the thecae and pollen is released through a bellows mechanism. Based on the hand-pollination treatments, this species is self-incompatible.[4]
![]() |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Solanum melissarum. |
Taxon identifiers |
|
---|