Solanum donianum
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Mullein nightshade | |
|---|---|
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Scientific classification  | |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Asterids |
| Order: | Solanales |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Genus: | Solanum |
| Species: | S. donianum |
| Binomial name | |
| Solanum donianum Walp. 1844
[1] | |
| Synonyms[1] | |
| |
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Solanum donianum, often known as the mullein nightshade, is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade, tomato or potato family, the Solanaceae.
The mullein nightshade is an erect shrub growing to 2.5 m (8 ft 2 in) tall. Young plant are sparsely armed with brownish, straight prickles up to 3 mm (0.12 in) long, but these may be absent on older plants. The plant's green parts are moderately to densely covered with branched "stellate" hairs. Leaves have petioles up to 3 cm (1.2 in) long, with the egg-shaped to elliptic blades developing no teeth or indentations along the margins; leaves are up to 5.5 cm (2.2 in) long.[2]
Flowers are arranged in much-branched inflorescences at stem tips and arising in the angles where petioles attach to their stems. The flowers' petals are white, with the stamens' relatively large, yellow, pollen-producing anthers conspicuously occupying the corollas' centers. The berry-type fruits are red and fleshy like small tomatoes.[2]
Distribution
Habitat
On Mexico's Yucatan Peninsula, Solanum donianum is described as inhabiting coastal dunes, occasionally flooded low-growing forest, medium-height partly deciduous forest, and disturbed areas.[3] Pictures on this page are of an individual in white sand on a beach along the Yucatan Peninsula's Caribbean coast.[4]
Human uses
In warmer areas, mullein nightshade is grown in butterfly gardens, used in natural landscaping, and for restoring habitats. It's regarded as fast growing, and spreading from rhizomes to form small patches broader than tall.[5]
Along Mexico's Yucatan coast among the Maya people, Solanum donianum has been reported as used for treating diabetes; the fruit is blended, strained and drunk on an empty stomach.[6]
Laboratory analysis of 12 plant species known among the Yucatan's Maya people having medicinal value determined that Solanum donianum was potentially useful as:[7]
- an ACE inhibitor (for high blood pressure and hearth failure
- an antimicrobial for human use
- an antifungal for use with plants