Solanum umalilaense
| Solanum umalilaense | ||||||||||||
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Solanum umalilaense in the experimental garden of Radboud University Nijmegen |
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| Solanum umalilaense | ||||||||||||
| Manoco |
Solanum umalilaense is indigenous to Africa plants art of the genus Solanum ( Solanum ). It was first described in 2012.
description
Vegetative characteristics
Solanum umalilaense is an herbaceous plant with a height of about 0.5 meters. It grows upright, usually with many upright or protruding stems emerging from the base. The stems are dark purple in color, angled and have clearly recognizable ridges. There are small teeth on the ridges. The plants are bald to almost hairless, the hair consists of sparsely distributed, long, close-fitting, non-glandular trichomes .
The leaves are simple and petiolate. The leaf blade is ovate to elliptical and runs down the petiole as a wing . The leaf margin is entire, towards the front they are tapered to pointed, cut off at the base. The leaf blade reaches a size of 1.8 to 2.8 × 0.1 to 1.4 centimeters and is broadest about 1 to 1.7 (rarely up to 2.1) centimeters above the tip. The leaf stalk becomes 0.6 to 1.3 inches long.
Inflorescences and flowers
The plant forms a large number of inflorescences , up to 100 inflorescences can be formed per individual. They are simple, rarely forked cymes with 2 to 9 (rarely 11) flowers . The inflorescence stalks are erect and (rarely only 0.5) 1.1 to 3.2 millimeters long, the flower stalks are 5 to 7 (rarely up to 9) millimeters long and nodding. The cross section of the calyx is pentagonal and measures 3 to 3.2 (rarely up to 4) millimeters. It is covered with short, about 1 millimeter long, broadly triangular and identically shaped calyx tips, which later come to rest on the ripe berry. The crown is star-shaped, colored white and measures 7 to 11 millimeters in diameter. The edges are occasionally tinged with purple.
The anthers are of the same shape, yellow and 1.8 to 2 millimeters long, the stamens reach a length of 0.5 to 1 millimeter. The diameter of fully hydrated pollen grains is 24.6 to 26.3 micrometers. The stylus is 3.1 to 3.5 (rarely up to 4.2) millimeters long, protrudes beyond the anthers, is usually straight or rarely hook-shaped. At its base are non-glandular trichomes.
Fruits and seeds
The fruits are spherical berries that turn from green to a dull yellowish-green when ripe and to light yellowish-brown when ripe. They are soft, persistent on the plant and smelling. They measure 3 to 4 (rarely up to 5) millimeters in diameter and contain hardened grains and 9 to 22 seeds . These are inverted egg-shaped, brownish and measure 1.6 to 2.1 × 1.3 to 1.8 millimeters.
Distribution and locations
Solanum umalilaense was collected in the Mbeya region of Tanzania at altitudes between 1952 and 2052 meters. They often grow in cultivated areas on mountain slopes or on abandoned fields where corn and beans were grown. A herbarium record refers to areas with ash layers from charcoal production as frequent locations, but this could not be proven by the authors of the first description.
Systematics
Solanum umalilaense is a representative of the Solanum section within the nightshade genus ( Solanum ). Phylogenetic studies on the basis of AFPL loci of different tetraploid species classified the species as a sister species to a clade consisting of representatives of the species Solanum retroflexum and Solanum hirsutum .
Specimens of the species were named Solanum nigrum or Solanum aff by botanists . americanum definitely. However, both species are diploid while Solanum umalilaense is a tetraploid species. A presumption that the species is a hybrid of two tetraploid species could not be confirmed.
Naming
The name umalilaense refers to the area Umalila (Malilaor Umalila) where the species was found. It is the area of the Malila , a relatively unknown ethnic group from southwestern Tanzania. The local name used by the Malila is Insungwe .
use
Before the plant starts to flower, the leaves are picked and prepared as vegetables. After the plant begins to bloom, the leaves acquire a bitter taste, which limits its use. The plants have been cultivated for many generations in various villages in the area of distribution and the farmers collect the fruit to get seeds for the next season.
literature
- Mkabwa LK Manoko et al .: A new tetraploid species of Solanum L. sect. Solanum (Solanaceae) from Tanzania. In: Phytokeys , Volume 16, 2012. pp. 65-74. doi : 10.3897 / phytokeys.16.2884
