Ear-leaf nightshade (Solanum mauritianum, Delic. Fl. Faun. Insubr. 3: 16 (1788))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: Scop.

Bibliography: Delic. Fl. Faun. Insubr. 3: 16 (1788)

Year: 1788

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Solanum

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: SE. & S. Brazil to Argentina (Buenos Aires)

Description

The Ear-leaf Nightshade, scientifically recognized as Solanum mauritianum, is a distinctive member of the Solanaceae family. First formally described by the renowned botanist Scopoli in his work “Deliciae Flora et Fauna Insubrica” in 1788, this plant has garnered considerable attention due to its unique characteristics and geographical distribution.

The specimen is native to South America, with a natural habitat that spans southeastern and southern Brazil, extending through to Argentina with a notable presence in Buenos Aires. Its adaptability to a range of environmental conditions in these regions underpins its success as a widespread species.

Solanum mauritianum is easily identifiable by its morphological features, which include its ear-shaped leaves that lend the plant its common name. The plant’s foliage is typically fuzzy and grey-green in hue, while its flowers are small, star-shaped, and displayed in clusters. These flowers are often lilac or pale violet and give way to round berries which shift from green to a vibrant yellow as they mature.

The plant is of particular ecological and horticultural interest due to its resilience and ability to thrive in a variety of soils. It plays a role in local ecosystems as both a cover plant and as a feeding resource for various fauna. However, its robustness also means that in certain areas outside its native range, it can become an invasive species, challenging the balance of local flora.

This detailed understanding of Solanum mauritianum is crucial for botanists, ecologists, and horticulturists alike, serving as a foundation for further studies and management strategies in regions where the plant is both native and introduced. Through continued observation and research, the broader impacts and benefits of this vibrant species can be fully appreciated.

Common Names

Eng: earleaf nightshade, bugtree, ear-leaf nightshade, tobacco-wood, wild tobacco, wild tobacco-bush, wild tobacco-tree
Fra: morelle
Por: cuvitinga, fona-de-porca, tabaqueira
Spa: fona-de-porca
Afr: liusboom
En: Ear-leaf nightshade, Tobacco-wood, Wild tobacco, Wild tobacco-bush, Wild tobacco-tree, Bugtree, Earleaf nightshade, Bug berry, Ear-leaved nightshade, Tobacco bush, Tobacco bush weed, Wild tobacco bush, Bug tree, Bugweed, Flannel weed, Kerosene plant, Tobacco weed, Wila tobacco, Woolly nightshade, Tree tobacco, Tobacco tree
Af: Liusboom, Luisboom
Zh: 野煙樹
Fr: Morelle, Bringellier marron, Tabac marron
De: Wollblütiger Nachtschatten
He: סולונום
Pt: Cuvitinga, Fona-de-porca, Tabaqueira
Pt-br: Couvetinga, Fumeira, Fumo-bravo
Es: Fona-de-porca
Zh-tw: 野煙樹
To: Pula
Zu: Igayintombi

Synonyms

• Solanum carterianum (Rock)
• Solanum auriculatum (Aiton)
• Solanum verbascifolium var. typicum (Hassl.)
• Solanum tabaccifolium (Vell.)
• Solanum verbascifolium var. auriculatum ((Aiton) Kuntze)

Distribution

• Argentina Northeast (native)
• Brazil South (native)
• Brazil Southeast (native)
• Uruguay (native)
• Angola (introduced)
• Azores (introduced)
• California (introduced)
• Cameroon (introduced)
• Canary Is. (introduced)
• Cape Provinces (introduced)
• Comoros (introduced)
• Cook Is. (introduced)
• East Himalaya (introduced)
• Ecuador (introduced)
• Fiji (introduced)
• Florida (introduced)
• Free State (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)
• Jawa (introduced)
• Kenya (introduced)
• Madagascar (introduced)
• Madeira (introduced)
• Mauritius (introduced)
• Mozambique (introduced)
• Namibia (introduced)
• Nepal (introduced)
• New Caledonia (introduced)
• New South Wales (introduced)
• New Zealand North (introduced)
• Nigeria (introduced)
• Norfolk Is. (introduced)
• Northern Provinces (introduced)
• Peru (introduced)
• Philippines (introduced)
• Queensland (introduced)
• Rwanda (introduced)
• Réunion (introduced)
• Sierra Leone (introduced)
• South Australia (introduced)
• Sri Lanka (introduced)
• Tasmania (introduced)
• Tonga (introduced)
• Uganda (introduced)
• Vietnam (introduced)
• Zambia (introduced)
• Zaïre (introduced)
• Zimbabwe (introduced)

Additional Images

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Flower

Taken Jul 28, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 21, 2019 by Robert Kops (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 21, 2012 by H. Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2019 by Olga Moskaleva (cc-by-sa)

Taken Feb 27, 2018 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Oct 15, 2022 by simone yu (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 24, 2019 by Jacky Chan (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2020 by Henri Cognault (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by marie-pascale jeandot (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by x b (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 26, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 4, 2022 by Arta (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2020 by Damien Gulliver (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 14, 2021 by marie-pascale jeandot (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 28, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 8, 2019 by Eleonore Patou (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 29, 2019 by Pinheiro Camila (cc-by-sa)

Taken Mar 19, 2021 by x b (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 11, 2019 by Sébastien Heurdier (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 7, 2019 by Olga Moskaleva (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Jul 6, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Anziz AHMED ABDOU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 19, 2010 by Tela Botanica − Liliane Roubaudi (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 5, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Michel GAUBERT (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 17, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Sylvain PIRY (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 31, 2021 by Geoffrey Lebreton (cc-by-sa)

Bark

Taken Nov 21, 2012 by H. Goëau (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 10, 2020 by Joana Nossa (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 5, 2016 by EOL − Stephen Thorpe (cc-by-nc)

Taken Mar 16, 2017 by Hugo SANTACREU (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 26, 2022 by Alda Pereira (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:330666-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2931469)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Solanum mauritianum Scop.)

Specifications

Growth