Solanum — 137 species
Botanical species in the genus Solanum recorded in the PlantPeers database.
Solanum aethiopicum
Solanum aethiopicum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, it can also be grown as an annual crop in the temperate zone as long as it can be given a growing season of at least 4 months. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 40°c. It is not tolerant of frosts.
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Solanum agrarium
Solanum agrarium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of mainly lowland tropical areas, though it can also be found at elevations up to 1,000 metres. It grows in areas with a distinct dry season. Probably prefers calcareous or clayey habitats but it is also reported on sandstone and sandy soil as well as in salty soils.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum ajanhuiri
Solanum ajanhuiri
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of high elevations in the tropics, where it is found at elevations from 2,800 - 4,100 metres. This species is a hybrid, Solanum tuberosum x Solanum boliviansis, that is often grown as a food crop in the Andes. It is more frost hardy than the common potato, tolerating temperatures down to about -5°c, and can probably be grown in much the same way as potatoes are grown by planting out the tubers in spring and harvesting in the autumn.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum albidum
Solanum albidum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Thee are reports that, in Bolivia at least, this species is clonal, forming colonies from root sprouts.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum allophyllum
Solanum allophyllum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum allophyllum is one of the few non-prickly members of the genus that are adapted to growing in drier regions of the American tropics, where it probably acts as a herbaceous plant, dying down in dry periods. InPanama it is only found in moist forests. The ripe fruits have a very sweet smell.
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Solanum alternatopinnatum
Solanum alternatopinnatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of mainly lowland areas in the subtropics to tropics, found at elevations from 100 - 950 metres.
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Solanum americanum
Solanum americanum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum americanum is a plant of the tropics and subtropics, it can also be cultivated in the temperate zone. It is found at elevations up to 2,000 metres in the tropics. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 35°c, but can tolerate 15 - 40°c.
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Solanum anguivi
Solanum anguivi
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant prefers relatively humid localities, being rare in arid ones. The seeds are often dispersed by birds in farmers' fields where the plants grow as a weed, but are often not removed by the farmers since the fruits are picked and eaten. When grown in gardens, plants are spaced 100 - 150cm apart to allow for vigorous horizontal branching.
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Solanum aviculare
Solanum aviculare
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum aviculare is found from the warm temperate zone to usually higher elevations in the tropical zone. It grows in regions that experience hot summers and mild winters - it can be grown in other parts of the temperate zone with mild winters but generally also requires hot summers to ripen its wood if it is to survive the winter. It can tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens.
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Solanum betaceum
Solanum betaceum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Plants grow best at low elevations in the subtropics and medium to higher elevations in the tropics, where they can succeed at elevations up to 2,800 metres. They grow best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 16 - 22°c, but can tolerate 10 - 30°c. They can be killed by temperatures of -2°c or lower.
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Solanum cajanumense
Solanum cajanumense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of higher elevations in the moist tropics. Plants fruit best with cool temperatures in the growing season. Plants are damaged by temperatures of -1°c or lower Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil.
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Solanum candidum
Solanum candidum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in full sun to partial shade. Found in the wild on both limestone and granite derived soils of diverse textures.
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Solanum capsicoides
Solanum capsicoides
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A lowland species of humid or seasonally humid warm subtropical or tropical areas nearly or quite free from frost at elevations up to 1,500 metres. Probably preferring sandy habitats but also recorded from wet alluvial clay and limestone derived soils. The plant is widely grown for its ornamental fruit, and is now naturalized in many areas of the tropics.
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Solanum caripense
Solanum caripense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum caripense is found in a region of Ecuador that has an average annual temperature of 14.5°c, an average rainfall of 488mm per year and a relative humidity of 70%
Full cultivation guide →Solanum carolinense
Solanum carolinense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum carolinense is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to around -35°c when fully dormant. The plant succeeds in a wide range of soil types, but thrives best in sandy or gravelly soils. The plant grows rapidly during hot weather and also tolerates drought.
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Solanum catombelense
Solanum catombelense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of subtropical to tropical areas, where it is found at elevations up to 1,300 metres. Found on sandy or limestone soils in the wild.
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Solanum centrale
Solanum centrale
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the drier parts of the subtropics and tropics of Australia.
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Solanum chippendalei
Solanum chippendalei
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of arid areas in the subtropics and tropics of Australia.
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Solanum circinatum
Solanum circinatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of higher elevations in the moist tropics. Plants fruit best with cool temperatures in the growing season. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil.
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Solanum corymbiflorum
Solanum corymbiflorum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum corymbiflorum is native to the warm temperate and subtropical climates of southern Brazil and adjoining Argentina. It is unlikely to tolerate much frost.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum crinitum
Solanum crinitum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in full sun, preferring a soil of a loamy nature. Grows well on nutrient-depleted soils. The plant responds well to coppicing and can survive forest fires by resprouting from the roots.
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Solanum curtilobum
Solanum curtilobum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum curtilobum is a plant of high elevations in the tropics, it can also be cultivated at lower elevations in the subtropical and temperate regions. This plant is one of the S. American species of potatoes.
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Solanum diphyllum
Solanum diphyllum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum diphyllum is native to subtropical and tropical regions of Mexico and central America. In cultivation it has also proved to be hardy in warm temperate areas such as southern France, southern Italy and Florida. Solanum diphyllum has been grown as an ornamental and escaped from cultivation in many areas.
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Solanum diploconos
Solanum diploconos
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the subtropics to tropics. Plants fruit best with cool temperatures in the growing season. Succeeds in a sunny position in any well-drained soil.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum dulcamara
Solanum dulcamara
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum dulcamara is a very cold-hardy plant, being able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -15°c, perhaps as low as -30°c when fully dormant An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Prefers a damp shady position and a neutral to alkaline soil. Succeeds in full sun to light shade.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum elaeagnifolium
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant appears to prefer loamy soils on the dry side, but is found on virtually all soil types, except for deep sands. It is shade tolerant, becoming quite abundant under trees and beside farm buildings. Flowering and fruiting throughout the year.
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Solanum ellipticum
Solanum ellipticum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant mainly of the warm temperate to subtropical zones, just entering the tropics in northern Australia. Prefers a position in full sun. Plants are drought tolerant - top growth dies off during extended dry periods but the plant resprouts after good rains.
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Solanum erianthum
Solanum erianthum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Found at elevations from 300 - 2,100 metres in the tropics of Asia.
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Solanum hastifolium
Solanum hastifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of drier areas in the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soils. The plant is a widespread weed within its native range, though no reports have been seen of it spreading outside this range.
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Solanum hyporhodium
Solanum hyporhodium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 26°c, but can tolerate 10 - 30°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 1,100mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,200mm.
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Solanum incanum
Solanum incanum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 2,200 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 10 - 30°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 700 - 1,000mm, but tolerates 250 - 2,000mm.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum involucratum
Solanum involucratum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 800 - 4,200mm.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum jamesii
Solanum jamesii
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum jamesii is not a very cold-hardy species, but plants can be grown as half-hardy perennials, the tubers being planted out in early to mid spring and harvested in the autumn after the top growth has died down. Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes wet or heavy clay soils.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum juzepczukii
Solanum juzepczukii
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum juzepczukii is a plant of high elevations in the tropics, usually found at elevations of 3,700 metres or more. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 6 - 14°c, but can tolerate 3 - 18°c. It is said to be highly frost resistant, and can experience frosts on 300 days of the year.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum laciniatum
Solanum laciniatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Tolerates temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens but is not very hardy in Britain. It sometimes succeeds as a shrub outdoors in the mildest areas of the country but is more usually cut to the ground by winter cold. It can, however, be grown at the foot of a warm sunny wall and be treated as a herbaceous perennial.
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Solanum lasiocarpum
Solanum lasiocarpum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 800 - 4,200mm.
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Solanum linearifolium
Solanum linearifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum linearifolium is somewhat cold-hardy, being able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c within its native range. However, it requires hot summers in order to fully ripen irs wood - in areas with cooler summers it is likely to be considerably less cold tolerant over the winter, especially if the weather is also wet at that time. In such a climate it is quite possible that this species can be grown at the foot of a warm sunny wall and be treated as a herbaceous perennial.
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Solanum lycocarpum
Solanum lycocarpum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of tropical and subtropical areas at elevations up to 1,100 metres. Requires a sunny position. Found in a wide variety of well-drained soils in the wide, from sandy to heavy clays.
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Solanum lycopersicum
Solanum lycopersicum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the tropics, it is also widely cultivated in the subtropics and temperate zone (where it is often grown under protection). In the tropics it can be grown at elevations from sea level up to 2,000 metres, but generally fruits better above 1,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 27°c, but can tolerate 7 - 35°c.
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Solanum lyratum
Solanum lyratum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum lyratum is native to the temperate regions of China extending into the tropics of southeastern Asia. It grows at elevations up to 2,900 metres. Species in this genus generally require a sunny position and can succeed in most soils.
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Solanum macrocarpon
Solanum macrocarpon
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,765 metres, though it is generally only cultivated below 600 metres. At higher elevations the plant tends to be more sturdy and growth is slower. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 20 - 26°c, but can tolerate 10 - 32°c.
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Solanum maglia
Solanum maglia
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes wet or heavy clay soils. Prefers a slightly acid soil, the tubers are subject to scab on limy soils or those deficient in humus.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum mammosum
Solanum mammosum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum mammosum is native to the warm tropics, growing in areas with at least seasonal heavy precipitation. Prefers a position in full sun and a well-drained, moist soil. Plants can flower and produce fruit all year round.
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Solanum melongena
Solanum melongena
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Aubergines grow well in lowland tropical areas and at elevations up to 1,200 metres. The plant is not frost-tolerant, but in warmer regions of the temperate zone it can be grown outdoors as an annual crop. A steady temperature of 25 - 30°c is required during the growing season for the best production of flowers and fruit.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum memphiticum
Solanum memphiticum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant is often found growing as a weed within its native range, though no reports have been seen of it becoming a weed outside of this range.
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Solanum muricatum
Solanum muricatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of higher elevations in the moist tropics, able to be grown at low elevations in the subtropics. It is found at elevations up to 4,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 15 - 25°c, but can tolerate 10 - 30°c.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum nigrescens
Solanum nigrescens
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum nigrescens has a wide geographical range, from the warm temperate regions of southeastern N. America to the tropics of S. America.
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Solanum nigrum
Solanum nigrum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Black nightshade is found through most of the world from the temperate zone to the tropics. It succeeds in the tropics at elevations from sea level to 3,000 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 21 - 28°c, but can tolerate 8 - 40°c.
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Solanum paniculatum
Solanum paniculatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Given its wide adaptability to various disturbed habitats and weedy nature, Solanum paniculatum would probably become naturalized in other parts of the world if introduced.
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Solanum peruvianum
Solanum peruvianum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum peruvianum is native to subtropical and tropical zones of the Andes of northern Chile and central Peru, growing at elevations up to 2,900 metres. Plants are not frost-hardy, but can be grown as an annual in warmer regions of the temperate zone. Requires a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position.
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Solanum pimpinellifolium
Solanum pimpinellifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum pimpinellifolium is found in the tropical and subtropical zones of S. America. Plants are not frost-hardy, but they can be grown outdoors in warmer parts of the temperate zone as a spring-sown annual started off under glass in the spring.
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Solanum pseudolulo
Solanum pseudolulo
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Prefers a sunny position, but can succeed in light shade. The plant hybridizes with Solanum quitoense to produce fertile hybrids.
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Solanum pseudoquina
Solanum pseudoquina
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Requires a sunny position. Prefers a moist, fertile, well-drained soil that can be on the heavy side. Established plants are drought tolerant.
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Solanum quitoense
Solanum quitoense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Plants can be grown from quite low elevations in the tropics up to an elevation of 2,500 metres or more. They do not do well in hot, lowland tropical areas. They appear to be tolerant of temperatures up to about 30°c, but are intolerant of frost.
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Solanum repandum
Solanum repandum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 24 - 30°c, but can tolerate 10 - 35°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,200 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 800 - 4,200mm.
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Solanum retroflexum
Solanum retroflexum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils. Prefers a fertile well-drained soil in a sunny position. Occasionally cultivated for its edible fruit, there are some named forms.
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Solanum sanctaecatharinae
Solanum sanctaecatharinae
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in most light levels from full sun to fairly deep shade. Found growing wild in a wide range of soil types and moisture levels. Young plants have a rapid rate of growth.
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Solanum scabrum
Solanum scabrum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum scabrum is a plant of garden origin. It succeeds as a short-lived perennial in the tropics from sea level to elevations of 2,000 metres, but in more temperate areas it is grown as an annual. Plants grow best at a temperature in the range 20 - 30°c and a rainfall of 500mm or more.
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Solanum sessiliflorum
Solanum sessiliflorum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of hot, wet, tropical lowland areas. Plants are not fussy as to soil type, though they prefer a light soil. Requires a well-drained soil.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum simile
Solanum simile
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It is quite possible that this species can be grown at the foot of a warm sunny wall and be treated as a herbaceous perennial. As long as the roots are given a good mulch in autumn they should survive quite cold winters.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum sisymbriifolium
Solanum sisymbriifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum sisymbriifolium is native to drier regions in the tropical and sub-tropical zones. Plants are not very cold-hardy, though they can be grown as spring-sown annuals in temperate regions. In milder, almost frost-free climates they are perennial.
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Solanum stoloniferum
Solanum stoloniferum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of moderate to high elevations in the temperate to tropical zones, where it is found at elevations from 1,040 - 3,700 metres. Succeeds in most soils. Dislikes wet or heavy clay soils.
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Solanum stramoniifolium
Solanum stramoniifolium
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant is tolerant of diverse soil types ranging from rich to relatively sterile sandy soils, usually on well drained substrata and not ordinarily found in swampy situations. The plant is often found as a weed within its native range, and is sporadically adventive elsewhere in the tropics.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum subinerme
Solanum subinerme
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in a sunny position, growing well on nutrient-depleted soils. The plant responds well to coppicing and can survive forest fires by resprouting from the roots.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum tarderemotum
Solanum tarderemotum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Prefers organic-rich soils that are high in nitrogen and phosphorus. It is reported to grow wild in disturbed areas or as a weed on agricultural land, probably often as escapes from cultivation. Initial seedling growth is rapid.
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Solanum tettense
Solanum tettense
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant thrives under both moist and semi-arid conditions in the Tropics, where it can be found at elevations up to 1,600 metres.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum torvum
Solanum torvum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,600 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 17 - 29°c, but can tolerate 12 - 35°c. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 1,000 - 2,000mm, but tolerates 700 - 4,200mm.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum triflorum
Solanum triflorum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, growing best in a sunny position in a well-drained soil. This species is said to be a good companion for watermelons, it has been planted with them in order to make the watermelons more prolific and ripen earlier. An infusion of the plant has been sprayed on the watermelons in order to make them more prolific and ripen earlier.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum trilobatum
Solanum trilobatum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The plant is often found as a garden weed within its native range. Plants can flower all year round.
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Solanum tuberosum
Solanum tuberosum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
The potato originated through cultivation from plants being grown at moderate to higher elevations in the tropics of South America. Plants succeed in temperate climates when grown as an annual, the tubers being planted in the spring and harvested in the summer to autumn as growth dies down. In the Tropics plants are rarely grown at elevations lower than 1,000 metres since yields are poor at low elevations.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum uncinellum
Solanum uncinellum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum uncinellum is a very widespread and variable species, occurring in a huge range of habitats throughout the American tropics and into the subtropical zone of southern South America.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum verrucosum
Solanum verrucosum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
This species is very similar to some populations of Solanum stoloniferum and Solanum demissum.
Full cultivation guide →Solanum vescum
Solanum vescum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum vescum is somewhat cold-hardy, being able to tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c within its native range. However, it requires hot summers in order to fully ripen irs wood - in areas with cooler summers it is likely to be considerably less cold tolerant over the winter, especially if the weather is also wet at that time. In such a climate it is quite possible that this species can be grown at the foot of a warm sunny wall and be treated as a herbaceous perennial.
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Solanum villosum
Solanum villosum
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
Solanum villosum occurs from the warm temperate zone to the tropics at elevations from sea-level to about 2,400 metres. The optimum temperature is probably between 20 - 30°c and the plant is intolerant of frost. It performs well during the rainy season, or when irrigated regularly.
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Solanum viride
Solanum viride
Family: Solanaceae
Cultivation
There is no evidence that the wild form of this plant is used for food, but a form with larger leaves and fruits (cv. 'Anthropophagorum') is traditionally cultivated in and near villages as a food crop.
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