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Solanum sturtianum, commonly known as Thargomindah nightshade,[2] is a flowering plant in the family Solanaceae. It is an upright shrub with grey-green leaves and purple flowers. This species is endemic to Australia.

Solanum sturtianum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Asterids
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Solanum
Species:	S. sturtianum
Binomial name
Solanum sturtianum F.Muell.[1]

Description

Solanum sturtianum is a upright, perennial shrub to 3 m (9.8 ft) high with silvery to grey-green foliage with a dense covering of star-shaped, short, matted hairs. The branches have scattered, numerous or a scarce covering of prickles. The leaves are silvery green coloured, lance-shaped, 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) long, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) wide, edges smooth, sometimes wavy, and the petiole 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The inflorescence consists of a few to about twelve flowers on a peduncle 0–15 mm (0.00–0.59 in) long, individual flowers on a pedicel 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long. The purple corolla is star-shaped, circular and flattened, and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter. Flowering may occur throughout the year and the fruit is a berry 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter, surface brittle and yellowish to brown-black.[2]

Taxonomy and naming

Solanum sturtianum was first formally described in 1854 by Ferdinand von Mueller and the description was published in Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria.[3][4]The specific epithet (sturtianum) honours Charles Napier Sturt.[5]

Distribution and habitat

Thargomindah nightshade grows in arid areas of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[2]

References

External links

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