Biology:Solanum douglasii

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Short description: Species of flowering plant in the nightshade family

Solanum douglasii
Scientific classification edit
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species:
S. douglasii
Binomial name
Solanum douglasii

Solanum douglasii is a North American species of plant in the family Solanaceae known by the common name greenspot nightshade.[1]

Description

Solanum douglasii is a perennial herb or subshrub approaching 2 metres (6 1⁄2 ft) in maximum height. The stem is coated in short, white hairs. The leaves may be up to 9 centimetres (3 1⁄2 in) long and have smooth or toothed edges.[2]

The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped array of flowers with star-shaped white corollas up to a centimeter wide. There are generally green spots at the bases of the corolla lobes. The yellow anthers are a few millimeters in length. Flowers may be seen blooming throughout much of the year.[2]

The fruit is a spherical black berry up to 1 cm (1⁄2 in) wide.[2][3]

Distribution and habitat

It is native to the northern half of Mexico and the southwestern south-central United States. Its habitat includes scrub and woodland.[2]

Uses

Many species in the genus are toxic.[2] Native Americans used the juice of the berries medicinally, and the Luiseño used it as dye for tattooing.[4]

References

Wikidata ☰ Q7555746 entry