Forest nightshade (Solanum nudum, Solan. Syn.: 20 (1816))

Family: Solanaceae

Author: Humb. & Bonpl. ex Dunal

Bibliography: Solan. Syn.: 20 (1816)

Year: 1816

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Solanum

Vegetable: False

Observations: Mexico to Trop. America

Description

Forest nightshade, known scientifically as Solanum nudum, is a member of the Solanaceae family, which encompasses a diverse array of plants including some well-known edibles like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants, as well as various ornamental and medicinal species.

First classified by the botanists Humboldt, Bonpland, and Dunal in 1816, this plant has since been recognized for its wide distribution across tropical regions from Mexico down through Central America. This broad geographic range speaks to its adaptability and resilience in various environmental conditions.

Solanum nudum thrives in the warm, humid climates characteristic of tropical America, where it has become a familiar species in the forest understorey. Its ability to flourish in such conditions underscores its ecological significance and the role it plays in the biodiversity of these regions.

Given its familial ties, Forest nightshade shares several characteristics with its Solanaceae relatives, including certain morphological traits and biochemical properties. It is essential to approach this plant—as with many of its relatives—with an understanding of both its ecological importance and potential uses or hazards, depending on its specific chemical composition, which can vary widely even within this botanical family.

In summary, Solanum nudum, or Forest nightshade, continues to be an intriguing subject of study and interest, contributing to the rich tapestry of tropical flora from Mexico through tropical America since its initial classification in the early 19th century.

Common Names

Eng: forest nightshade
Por: melanciazinha
En: Forest nightshade
Pt: Melanciazinha

Synonyms

• Solanum parcebarbatum (Bitter)
• Solanum trutel (Jacq. ex Steud.)
• Solanum parcebarbatum var. minorifrons (Bitter)
• Solanum laevigatum (Kunth)
• Bassovia foliosa (Brandegee)
• Solanum nudum var. micranthum (Hassl.)
• Solanum annonifolium (Dunal)
• Solanum tovarense (Bitter)
• Solanum antillarum (O.E.Schulz)
• Solanum supranitidum (Bitter)

Distribution

• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Brazil North (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)

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 Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Bart Wursten (cc-by-nc)

Taken Feb 20, 2013 by EOL − Gerald and Buff Corsi (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by kevin mehring (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by louise manka (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 30, 2021 by Ivy Le Maguer (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Oct 29, 2022 by louise manka (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 26, 2020 by kevin mehring (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 11, 2022 by Nadia Foskett (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 1, 2013 by OTS – Oviedo-Brenes, Federico (cc-by-nc-sa)

Other

Taken Oct 11, 2008 by EOL − Alex V. Popovkin (cc-by)

Taken Oct 9, 2008 by EOL − Alex V. Popovkin (cc-by)

Taken Oct 9, 2008 by EOL − Alex V. Popovkin (cc-by)

Taken Oct 9, 2008 by EOL − Alex V. Popovkin (cc-by)

Taken Feb 12, 2013 by EOL − Garcia, Humberto (cc-by-nc)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:820269-1)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2931480)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Solanum nudum Dunal)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub, Tree, Shrub

Growth