THE GENUS SOLANUM L.

(SOLANACEAE) IN
EASTERN GHATS OF INDIA An account of the
diversity,
distribution and taxonomy of the wild and naturalized species of Solanum L. occurring in Eastern Ghats of
India

C. Kalidass P. C. Panda

Regional Plant Resource Centre | Bhubaneswar

Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam.
1

THE GENUS SOLANUM L. (SOLANACEAE) IN

EASTERN GHATS OF INDIA
An account of the diversity, distribution and taxonomy of the wild and naturalized species of
Solanum L. occurring in Eastern Ghats of India
C. Kalidass P. C. Panda
Regional Plant Resource Centre Bhubaneswar
2
Published by Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC) Forest and Environment Department Government of
Odisha Nayapalli, Bhubaneswar -751015, Odisha Email : rprcbbsr@gmail.com Website:www.rprcbbsr.in
©2019 RPRC, Bhubaneswar
Print 2019
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any
form or any means: electronic , mechanical, photocopying , recording, or otherwise, without the prior written
permission from the publisher.
Design and Print Ketaki Enterprises Pvt. Ltd. Unit-Third Eye Communications Bhubaneswar Email:
thirdeyecoindia@gmail.com
THE GENUS SOLANUM L. (SOLANACEAE) IN EASTERN GHATS OF INDIA
3
Introduction 5
Taxonomic historyof the genus Solanum L. 7 Diversity of Solanum in India 9
Economic important of the genus 10 The present study 11
SOLANUM L. 17 Systematic treatment 18
Key to the species of Solanum 18 ENUMERATION OF SPECIES 19
Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum 19 Solanum americanum Mill. var. odishense Kalidass & Murugan 23
Solanum diphyllum L. 25 Solanum erianthum D. Don 27
Solanum pseudocapsicum L. 30 Solanum pubescens Willd. 32
Solanum seaforthianum Andrews 35 Solanum villosum Mill. 37
Solanum nigrum L. 39 Solanum asperolanatum Ruiz & Pav. 41
Solanum cordatum Forssk. 43 Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. 44
Solanum giganteum Jacq. 46 Solanum melongena L. var. insanum (L.) Prain. 48
Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. 51 Solanum torvum Sw. 53
Solanum trilobatum L. 57 Solanum viarum Dunal 60
Solanum violaceum Ortega 63 Solanum virginianum L. 67
Solanum multiflorum Roth ex Roemer & Schult. 70 Solanum lycopersicum L. 72
Solanum melongena L. 74 Solanum wendlandii Hook.f. 76
References 77
4
The Solanaceae, also known as the potato or deadly nightshade family, is one of humankind’s most utilized
and important plant families. It contains some of the world’s most important food plants, such as the potato,
tomato, brinjal, bell and chilli peppers, ground cherries and raspberries. It also includes a suite of deadly toxic
plants represented by belladonna, mandrake, Jimson weed, henbane and tobacco. The deadly nightshades are
also members of this incredible family.
Rich in potent psychoactive alkaloids, it is a family of plants with a veritable chemical mix of desirable and toxic
compounds referred to as the tropane alkaloids. They include nicotine, solanine, capsaicin, atropine,
scopolamine, and hyoscyamine chemicals that have been used as healing drugs in small doses,
misunderstood or abused as addictive drugs, and employed as pesticides and warfare agents when utilized in
toxic doses. Use of several as garden ornamentals species of Petunia, Brugmansia, Brunfelsia, Cestrum,
Datura, Solandra, Lycium, Nicotiana etc. increase the economic importance of the family. Besides, many of the
Solanaceae, , such as tobacco and petunia, are used as model organisms in the investigation of fundamental
biological questions at the cellular, molecular and genetic levels. However, of the recorded 98 genera and
some 2,700 species of Solanaceae in the world, the genus Solanum alone includes nearly 50% of the total
species diversity of the family. In India, about 122 species of Solanaceae have been reported to occur and of
these, 49 species belong to the genus Solanum
All the above facts illustrate the economic and botanical importance of the family Solanaceae and justify a
detailed scientific study of it in different geographical regions. The present book is the result of extensive
fieldwork undertaken by the authors in Eastern Ghat region of India spanning over three states Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh and Tamilnadu, consultation of herbarium specimens housed in major Indian Herbaria and
determination of identity and nomenclature of the species. This gives a comprehensive account of the diversity,
distribution, taxonomy and ecology of 23 wild and 3 cultivated species of Solanum occurring in the Eastern
Ghats of India with colour photo-plates for each species. It is hoped that this book will be a handy tool for
identification of Solanum species of this important bio-geographic zone of India by scientists, researchers,
foresters and common man alike.
Smt. Rebecca Nayar, IFS PCCF & Chief Executive
5

THE GENUS SOLANUM L. (SOLANACEAE) IN EASTERN

GHATS OF INDIA
Introduction
Solanaceae is a monophyletic family containing about 100 genera and 2,500 species and is widely
distributed throughout the world, with major species diversity in America, Australia and Africa (D’Arcy,
1991; Hunziker, 2001; Olmstead & Bohs, 2007; Olmstead, et al., 1999 & 2008). Solanum L. is one of the
largest genera of flowering plants with about 1500 species, which are distributed in all continents, except
Antarctica (Vorontsova et al., 2013). Major centres of species diversity are the Andean and Atlantic forest
regions of South America, but a secondary center of diversity occurs in East Africa. Several major crops
of global agricultural importance and of economic and medicinal value such as potato (Solanum
tuberosum L.), tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L.) and egg plant (Solanum melongena) belong to the
family Solanaceae.
In India, the family Solanaceae is represented by 122 taxa (116 species, 2 sub-species, 3 varities and 1
forma) belonging to 29 genera (Reema Kumari, 2004). The genus Solanum L. is the most speciose with
49 species distributed through out the country. Of the Indian Solanaceae, 12 genera and 39 species are
reported to occur in the Eastern Ghats of India and the genus Solanum L. alone is represented by 17
species (Venkatappa, 2011). The Indian genera of Solanaceae are clearly distinguishable from each
other and are not as closely related to Solanum as a number of American genera which have at times
been included in it, such as Cyphomandra, Lycopersicon and Lycianthes. Other important genera within
the family Solanaceae, but not so closely related to Solanum, are Capsicum (the peppers), Cestrum
(ornamental shrubs) and Petunia, Schizanthus, all ornamental annuals. Many of the species in the genus
Solanum L. are economically important for human beings as food plants, ornamentals, or medicinal
plants. Other Solanum species of culinary importance in India are the introduced egg plants ( S.
melongena L.) and potato (S. tuberosum L.), which are widely cultivated for their edible fruits or modified
stem. Similarly, Solanum
5
6 6
toruvum Sw., Solanum americanum Mill., Solanum pubescens Willd. (native of Peninsular India) and
Solanum virginianum L. are used in one form or the other as medicines. Garden ornamentals such as
Solanum wenlandii Hook. f., Solanum pseudocapsicum L., Solanum seaforthianum Andrews, Solanum
crinitum Lam. have been introduced and now widely naturalized in India.
The genus Solanum L. is one of the most economically important genera of plants and includes the
cultivated potato, tomato and aubergine. With ca. 1,500 species (Bennett & Knapp, 2006), it is also one of
the largest (Frodin, 2004) and most taxonomically challenging genera of plants. The members of the
genus Solanum occurring in the Eastern Ghats region of India are poorly studied taxonomically and a
significant gap exists with regard to the diversity, taxonomy, ecology and distribution pattern of this group.
High levels of morphological variability among and within species and infra-specific categories make
identification difficult. Several species are exotics and gregarious weeds in waste places and so common
in occurrence that this discourages plant collectors and taxonomists, who frequently consider these plants
as “uninteresting weeds”. No complete taxonomic account of this interesting and useful genus is yet
available for the Eastern Ghat region except that of their mention in regional floras (Haines, 1925; Saxena
& Brahmam, 1995).
Solanum in Eastern Ghats of India has suffered from widespread and cumulative confusions throughout
its taxonomic history and the majority of herbarium determinations are out of date. The taxonomic status
of this genus is far from clear and taxonomic delimitations of many species are yet to be finalized. Even
for many Solanum species, our existing knowledge on the basic morphological characters such as seed
morphology and indumentum is still insufficient posing problem in ascertaining proper identity of taxa.
This offers a formidable challenge to taxonomist, and justifies the present revisionary study of the genus
Solanum in Eastern Ghats of India. The study resulted in the identification of several interesting species,
new distributional records and few novelties to science. As generally agreed by plant taxonomists, the
morphological characters of plants can be better studied from living materials than from dried herbarium
specimens. Keeping this in view, extensive and intensive field surveys were made by us in a range of
habitats in Eastern Ghat region covering the states of Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamilnadu in addition
to examinantion of herbarium species housed in major Indian Herbaria such as CAL, MH, DD. Though we
have
7
TAXONOMIC HISTORY OF THE GENUS SOLANUM L.
Linnaeus (1753) recognized two groups in the family Solanaceae in his “Species Plantarum” i.e.
Pentandria Monogynia and Didynamia Monogynia. Within the Pentandria Monogynia Atropa, Capsicum,
Datura, Hyoscyamus, Mandragora, Nicotiana, Physalis and Solanum were kept and slightly away but still
within the group Brunfelsia, Cestrum and Lycium were placed. The second group Didynamia Monogynia
included genera Browallia and Schwenckia. In his grouping, Lycopersicon and Melongena were included
under Solanum. Jussieu (1789) in “Genera Plantarum” segregated the genera into families. The order
Solaneae was the eighth one in his class Plantae Dicotyledones Monopetalae. He recognized three
groups, namely, (1) those with capsular fruits, (2) with baccate fruits, and (3) those related to the
Solanaceae but not properly of it. The fifteen genera of Jussieu’s are still maintainable under the family
Solanaceae. His system also included genera of other families such as Verbascum (Scrophulariaceae),
Bontia (Myoporaceae) and Crescentia (Bignoniaceae). He recognized Browallia and Schwenkia in the
Scrophulareae and Nolana in the Boragineae. Jussieu’s Solaneae was divided by Brown (1810) into two
sections, first section with plicate corolla, strongly curved embryo and the second section (having prickly
species) with non-plicate corolla, didynamous stamens and slightly curved embryo. Dunal (1813)
appropriately named this group of prickly species section Acanthophora (thorn-bearing). Kunth (1818)
proposed a classification based on fruit, viz., section ‘Capsulares’ and section ‘Baccatae’. A major
contribution was from Don (1831-1838) in his Gardeners’ Guide, where he recognized seven tribes
namely Solaneae, Nicotianeae, Datureae, Francisceae, Anthocerceae, Nolaneae
7
made allout efforts to cover as many areas of Eastern Ghats as possible for field exploration and to study
all available herbarium species in major India Herbaria, the study is no way complete and many more
species might have escaped our attention or might be occurring in localities not covered by us or could be
under cultivation. However, the present taxonomic investigation is first of its kind and aimed at study of
taxonomy, documentation of diversity, distribution and ecology of the genus Solanum in Eastern Ghats of
India besides their germplasm collection and ex situ conservation at Regional Plant Resource Centre
(RPRC), Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
8 8
and Cestrineae. He separated Verbascum from the Solanaceae. His classification provided a modern
basis from which improvements to understanding the Solanaceae would have evolved (D’Arcy, 1979).
This system was followed by Walpers (1844) without any change.
Endlicher (1839-1841) and Meisner (1840) have proposed two suborders namely Curvembryae and
Rectembryae and to these suborders six tribes and forty-two genera were assigned. Miers (1849) divided
the Solanaceae into three families Sclerophylaceae, Nolanaceae and Solanaceae. Later in 1849, he split
the Solanacae into subfamily Atropacae and erected ten tribes. All his tribes were placed under suborder
‘Curvembryae’ and ‘Rectembryae’. Bentham (1876) recognized sixty-seven genera and proposed tribal
structure of Solanaceae. Dunal (1852) included 920 species under Solanum and recognised fifty-nine
genera in the family. He included Nolana in the tribe Solanaceae and within this, he erected nine
subtribes. Wettstein (1895) recognized seventy six genera. These two systems agree, in general, but
differ in the relative placement of the genera in the classification system. Bentham treated Nolana as a
tribe within the Convolvulaceae, while Wettstein treated it as family Nolanaceae next to Solanaceae.
D’Arcy’s (1972) recognized seven subgenera under the genus Solanum. Ignoring the recent introduction
of representative species to other areas, five of these subgenera were regional endemics: Bassovia,
Brevantherum and Potatoe are confined to South America; Lyciosolanum was only known from South
Africa; Archaesolanum was restricted to New Guinea, New Zealand, Australia and Tasmania. Of the
remaining two, subgenus Solanum has a fairly wide range of distribution with centers of diversity in South
America and Africa but was also found wild in Eurasia, while subgenus Leptostemonum was widespread,
occurring in many parts of the Old and New World. Nee (1979) noted that almost all groups of Solanum
have tendency to become weedy. They are found in areas of high light intensities and also where the
natural vegetation has been disturbed. Under natural circumstances, landslides, eroded stream banks,
forest openings and wastelands provide suitable habitats for growth of Solanum species.
9 9
Man’s agricultural and industrial practices helped in expanding the range of distribution and spread of
numerous species of Solanum. The succulent edible berries of many species are popular with birds and
they played a prominent role in dispersal of seeds. According to Whalen (1984), section Acanthophora
occurs throughout the American tropics except in Amazonian Brazil but most diverse in the Nothern
Andes and in South Eastern Brazil. About 20 species grow in open Savannah and disturbed sites.
Several species were established in the Old World Tropics. Jaeger (1985) made a systematic studies of
the genus Solanum in Africa and provided botanical description, identification key and commented on
typification, distribution and synonymy.
Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Solanaceae) is the second largest subgenus of Solanum, with
approximately 450 species. It is of cosmopolitan distribution with its primary center of diversity in South
America and secondary centers in Australia and Africa. Morphological characters used to distinguish it
from other subgenera include a stellate indument, prickly herbage and attenuate anthers. In Brazil,
approximately 455 specific names have been applied to the species of subgenus Leptostemonum, of
which 345 are synonyms. Solanum subg. Leptostemonum is represented in Brazil by about 110 species,
including 58 endemic taxa. They are assigned to the following sections: Acanthophora, Crinitum,
Melongena, Erythrotrichum, Herposolanum, Lasiocarpa, Micracantha, Persicariae, Polytrichum and
Torva. They are encountered in many kinds of vegetation and display marked adaptations to humid or
dry, hot and seasonal habitats. The principal center of diversity and endemism in Brazil is found in the
southeastern coastal region, which has about 64 species (representing 58% of the total Brazilian species)
and 20 endemics (Agra, 2007).
DIVERSITY OF SOLANUM IN INDIA
The first reference of plants of this family in Indian literature dates back to 1100 A.D. in ancient literature
such as “Charaka Samhita”. Garcia de Orta (1563) reported the use of Datura metel in his work
“Colloquios Dos Simples”. The next available literature on Indian plants was Rheede’s (1678-1703)
“Hortus Indicus Malabaricus”, which includes 12 plates of the family Solanaceae. Later, Roxburgh (1795-
1832) described 27 species in his “Flora Indica”. Nees (1837) described several species from the Indian
territory of that time. Drury (1866) mentioned 30 species of Solanaceae and placed them under the
Linnaean classification
10 10
group “Pentandria Monogynia”. Clarke (1883) studied the family Solanaceae in Hooker’s “Flora of British
India” and described 52 species including two novelties. However, many species included in this work are
no more found within the geographical boundary of present day India. Thereafter, several regional floras
have come up (Cook 1905, Duthie, 1911, Gamble, 1923, Kanjila et al., 1939) dealing with members of
Solanaceae occurring in their respective areas of floristic inventory.
After the reorganization of Botanical Survey of India in 1954, enormous number of herbarium specimens
has been collected and deposited in various Indian herbaria and several regional and state floras of India
have been brought out. Deb (1979-1980) reported the presence of 108 species, 6 subspecies and 4
varieties of Solanaceae in India belonging to 24 genera. Of these, 10 genera are native to the country,
while 14 genera are exotics, and 53 species, 6 subspecies and 4 varieties (besides types) are native to
the country. Recently, Reema Kumari (2004) revised the family Solanaceae of India and reported the
occurrence of 122 taxa of Solanaceae belonging to 116 species, 2 subspecies, 3varities and 1 forma
under 29 genera. This included 49 species of the genus Solanum L. The genus Solanum is represented
by 42 species and 3 varieties distributed in different parts of India.
ECONOMIC IMPORTANCE OF THE GENUS SOLANUM L.
Solanaceae includes almost all the vegetables that are taken in the human diet. Solanum L. is a large and
diverse genus of flowering plants, which includes three food crops of the highest economic importance,
the brinjal, potato and the tomato. Many of the species in the genus have a significant relationship with
man as food plants, ornamentals, weeds or medicinal plants. Several species of Solanum such as S.
torvum Sw., S. trilobatum L., S. americanum Mill., S. viarum Dunal and S. virginianum L. are of significant
medicinal importance. Most notable of the food plants is the potato (S. tuberosum L.), a native of South
America and introduced in parts of Africa, which in terms of property, tonnage and trade value, is one of
the world’s most important dicotyledonous crops. In India, it is the most important food crop in regular
diets of every body next to cereals. These stem tubers are very rich in carbohydrates and sugars and are
also a source of industrial producuts like dextrin, syrup, starch and alcohols.
11
THE PRESENT STUDY
Eastern Ghats is a discontinuous range of mountains running parallel to the east coast, located between
9° 95’ to 20° 74’ N latitude and 77° 22’ to 85° 20’ E longitude and covers states of Odisha, Andhra
Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. It is considered as an important bio-geographic region and one of the nine
floristic zones in India (Pullaiah et al., 2007) (Map: 1). During the present study, we organised several
field trips and conducted multi-seasonal surveys in different localities of all the three states mentioned
above between May 2015 to March 2018 and collected plant specimens and associated first-hand
information of habitat, ecology, phenology and use values. Special emphasis was given on plant
collection from major hills of Khurda, Rayagada, Nayagarh, Kalahandi, Sambalpur, Bolangir
11
Other Solanum species of culinary importance in India are the egg plants S. melongena L. and its
varieties, which are extensively cultivated for their edible fruits. The brinjal, which is a worldwide crop with
thousands of local landraces and many commercial cultivars, has maximum genetic diversity in South and
Southeast Asia. S. wendlandii Hook.f., is normally used as garden ornamental plant. Few recent
introductions include the New World species S. erianthum D. Don, S. torvum Sw., S. elaeagnifolium Cav.,
which have spread in weedy proportions in many parts of India. Several of the exotic species of African
origin have local uses including medicinal applications. Some non-African species, such as S. viarum
Dunal, are cultivated in different parts of the world as a source of chemical intermediates useful in the
industrial synthesis of contraceptive hormones and corticosteroid drugs. Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam.
(the litchi tomato), a native of South America which produces small edible fruits in a persistent spiny calyx
has established as weed in many tropical and subtropical regions. It is also cultivated in gardens across
the world because of its curious fruits. S. giganteum Jacq., the red bitter berry, which is a tall shrub
reaches 6m in height is distributed across sub-Saharan Africa. Subsequently, it has been introduced into
Australia, Sri Lanka and India. The berries are collected from naturalized plants by people of the Western
Ghats and Northern parts of India, who also use them as a vegetable in the name of “Chichurdi”. S.
virginianum L., is a close wild crop relative of S. melongena found in South and Southeast Asia and its
fruits are cooked and consumed as a vegetable in various parts of India and Bangladesh. Many other
Solanum species are climbers which are cultivated in gardens for their attractive look.
12 12
(Odisha), Paderu hills, Araku valley, Anantapur, Chittor district (Andhra Pradesh) and Alagar Kovil hills,
Sirumalai hills, Karandhamalai hills, Kolli hills, Jawadhu hills, Yelagiri hills, Kalroyns hills and Shevaroys
hills (Tamilnadu).
In addition to field collection of specimens, the herbarium specimens available at Central National
Herbarium (CAL), Botanical Survey of India, Howrah, Herbarium of Botanical Survey of India, Southern
circle, Coimbatour (MH), Forest Research Institute, Dehra Dun (DD) and digital herbarium specimens of
the genus Solanum of the Herbarium of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (K) and New York Botanic
Garden (NYBG) were also consulted.
The nomenclature of species and intra-specific categories were made uo-to- date in consultation with the
International Code of Nomenclature of Algae, Fungi and Plants (McNeill et al., 2011). Vernacular names
were collected through interaction with local people and from published literature. Plant specimens were
collected, processed and preserved as herbarium specimens following the field and herbarium methods
prescribed by Forman & Bridson (1989). The mounted herbarium specimens were deposited in the
Herbarium of Regional Plant Resource Centre (RPRC), Bhubaneswar. Additionally, the live plants were
also introduced to the germplasm collection of the Botanic Garden of RPRC, Bhubaneswar, Odisha as an
ex situ conservation measure.
Fig.1A: Location map of Eastern Ghats of India
Northen most Northen North central South central Southern Southern Most Non forest
Fig.1B: Distribution of the genus Solanum in Eastern Ghat parts of Odisha
13 13
B A14
CDE

FG H I

JK L M

NOP
Fig.2: Variation in shape, size, margin and indumentums of leaves among different taxa of Solanum in Eastern Ghats of India
A. Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum; B. S. americanum Mill. var. odishense; C. S. villosum; D. S. diphyllum; E. S. pubescens; F.
S. seaforthianum; G. S. violaceum; H. S. sisymbriifolium; I. S. viarum; J. S. trilobatum; K. S. torvum; L. S. elaeagnifolium; M. S. nigrum; N. S.
asperolanatum; O. S. virginianum; P. S. cordatum
AB C
15

DE F

GH I
JKL
Fig.3: Inflorescence types in different
A. Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum; B. S. diphyllum; C. S. asperolanatum; D. S. seaforthianum; species of Solanum occurring in
Eastern
E. S. pubescens; F. S. violaceum; G. S. erianthum; H. S. pseudocapsicum; I. S. americanum Mill. var. Ghats of India
odishense; J. S. torvum; K. S. cordatum; L. S. multiflorum
B 16
AC

DF

HLP Q R
Fig.4: Variation in types of fruits in different species of Solanum occurring in Eastern Ghats of India
EG
IJK
MNO
A. Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum; B. S. virginianum; C. S. sisymbriifolium; D. S. torvum; E. S. americanum Mill. var.
odishense; F. & J. S. melongena L. var. insanum; G. S. pseudocapsicum; H. S. viarum; I. S. erianthum; K. S. villosum; L. S. seaforthianum;
M. S. asperolanatum; N. S. violaceum; O. S. pubescens; P. S. diphyllum; Q. S. trilobatum; R. S. elaeagnifolium
17
SOLANUM L. Gen.Pl. 251. 1753.
Type: Solanum nigrum L.
Annual or perennial, mostly herbs to shrubs, rarely small trees, sometimes scandent vine or climbing.
Plants unarmed or armed with straight or curved prickles, rarely glabrous, usually pubescent with simple
or multicellular, glandular or stellate, sometimes sticky. Leaves variable in size, simple, usually alternate
or sub-opposite, margin entire or sinuate or lobed or pinnatisect or imparipinnate; petiolate. Inflorescence
usually axillary or extra-axillary, rarely terminal, less commonly in the axils of the leaves or stems, or leaf
opposed, variously cyme, appearing racemose, subumbellate or paniculate, rarely reduced to a solitary.
Flowers usually hermaphrodite but some species andromonoecious or dioecious, rarely cleistogamous.
Calyx campanulate, rotate or cupular, mostly 5 (rarely 4-7) toothed or lobed, sometimes enlarged to
enclose the fruit. Corolla deeply stellate, rotate stellate, rotate or campanulate mostly 5 (rarely 4-7)- lobed;
lobes plicate in the bud, most often shades of violet, purple or blue, less often white or yellow, sometimes
slightly zygomorphic. Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla throat, alternating with the corolla lobes, usually
exserted; filaments usually much shorter than the anthers; anthers oblong or lanceolate in outline, often
connivent and forming a cone around the style or free and divergent, sometimes unequal with one or
several anthers enlarged, opening by terminal pores or slits or splitting down the anther sac, usually
conspicuously yellow. Ovary superior; usually locules 2 (rarely 3 or 4), with many ovules; style simple,
erect or sigmoid, filiform, glabrous; stigma usually small or slightly enlarged, capitate or bifid. Fruit a berry,
usually globose but sometimes ovoid and rarely conical, when ripe succulent, papery or bony, rarely dry
and subcapsular, pale green, yellow, orange, red, purple, black or ivory white, sometimes aromatic.
Seeds orbicular or subreniform, compressed, often minutely pitted or reticulate less often muricate or
pubescent, pale buff to brown or black; embryo curved, submarginal; endosperm present.
18
SYSTEMATIC TREATMENT
Key to the species of Solanum L.
1. Armed plants
2. Lamina without prickles
3. Flowers white S. torvum 3. Flowers blue, purple
4. Annual or perennial, erect herbs up to 0.6 m high S. elaeagnifolium 4. Perennial, erect small tree up to 4 – 6 m high S.
giganteum 2. Lamina with prickles
5. Plants scrambling or prostrate
 6. Scrambling under-shrub, prickles recurved S. trilobatum 6. Prostrate herb, prickles straight S. virginianum 5. Plants erect
7. Corolla white or colourless
8. Calyx not prickly S. asperolanatum 8. Calyx prickly
9. Berries size 1.5-3.00 cm across S. viarum 9. Berries less than 1.5 cm across S. sisymbriifolium 7. Corolla violet, blue,
purple and others
10. Berries size 2.5-3.00 cm across S. insanum 10. Berries less than 2.5 cm across
11. Corolla blue outside, bluish white , purple at throat
S. cordatum
11. Corolla mauve or pale purple, blue
12. Perennial or Annual, under shrub up to
2 m high
S. violaceum
12. Perennial, large shrub up to 3 m high S. multiflorum 1. Unarmed plants
13. Trees S. erianthum 13. Shrubs, herbs, climbers, twining
14. Shrub, leaves borne on woody stem S. diphyllum 14. Herbs & climber/twining, leaves borne on herbaceous stem15.

Perennial, scandent-vines, twinning, usually 3 – 7

lobed
S. seaforthianum
15. Herbs. Leaves entire
16. Corolla pink, blue, violet
17. Leaves glabrous, corolla pink S. pseudocapsicum 17. Leaves pubescent, corolla blue or violet S. pubescence 16.
Corolla white, with violet midrib outside
18. Corolla white with dark violet midrib outside S. villosum 18. Corolla white without violet midrib outside
19. Corolla more than 6 mm S. nigrum 19. Corolla less than 6 mm S. americanum
19
ENUMERATION OF SPECIES
Non-spiny Solanum species Solanum americanum Mill. Gard. Dict. no. 5. 1768; S.V.
Ramaswamy, Bull. Bot. Suv. India 6: 17. 1965; Hepper in Dassan., Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 368. 1987;
Nicolson et al., Regnum Veg. 119: 249. 1988; Augustine, J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 25:592. 2001; R.R. Mill in
Grierson & D.g. Long, Fl. Bhutan 2(3): 1.51. 2001; Krishna Kumar et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas and
Grassland of the Nilgiris: 439. 2013. -Type: Cult. Chelsea Physic Garden, origin North America, Virginia,
Miller s.n. (Holotype BM!). Fig-5.
Solanum nigrum L. Sp. Pl. 1: 186. 1753 (Type: Central Asia, herb. Linn. 248.18 ! LINN, lectotype); Clarke,
in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:229. 1883; Prain, Beng. Pl. 2:745. 1903; Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bomb. 2:263. 1905;
Duthie, Fl. Upp. Gang. Pl. 2:124. 1911; Haines, Bot. Bih. Or. 610. 1922; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 936.
1923; Kanj. et al. Fl. Assam 3:336. 1939; Madhava Chetty, et al., Flowering Plants of Chittoor Dist. 231.
2008; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:293. 2011; Franklin Benjamin & Murthy, Fl.
Srivenkateswara National Park 262.2013.
S. rubrum Mill. Gard. Dict. ed. 8. no. 4. 1768 (Type: herb. Miller ! BM-lectotype); Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1:565.
1832. S. triangulare Lamk. Ill. 2:18. 1797. S. villosum Mill. Gard. Dict. ed. 8. no. 2. 1768 (Type: herb.
Miller ! BM-lectotype). S. incertum Dun. Hist. Soc. 155. 1813. S. nigrum var.villosum L. Sp. Pl. 186. 1753.
S. nodiflorum Jacq. Coll. 2:288. 1789 & Icon. Pl. Rar. 2:11. t. 326. 1789 (Type: collected from Mauritius
and cultivated at Vienna, herb. Jacquin ! BM-lectotype). S. villosum (L.) Lamk. Encycl. 2:18. 1794. S.
roxburghii Dun. in DC. Prodr. 13(1):57. 1852. S. villosum (L.) Willd. Enum. Pl. 236. 1809. S. nigrum L.
subsp.villosum (L.) Pers. Syn. Pl. 1: 224. 1805. S. miniatum Bernhe. Dun. in DC. Prodr. 13(1):56. 1852.
S. luteum Mill. l.c. no. 3 (Type: herb. Miller ! BM-lectotype).
S. purpureilineatum Sabnis et Bhatt., in Bull. Bot. Surv. Ind. 12:258. 1972. (Paratype: Gujarat,
Hampheshwar near temple, Chholandepur forest Div., 28-10-1971, S & T 582 ! CAL).
var. americanum Vernacular Name: Odia: Nunununia, Thutguna; Telugu: Kasi, Kamanchi, Gajju chettu;
Tamil: Manathakkalli, Kaasithazhai.
20
Annual herbs, 30-100 cm high, glabrescent; branchlets terrte or some time angular, young branchlets
single cell hairs scattered. Leaves ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 3-6 x 2-4 cm long, base cuneate to
obtuse, apex at acute; lower surfaces glabrescent to moderately or densely pilose; margin entire to
sinuate, rarely sinuate dentate; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs; petioles 2-3cm long flat or terete. Inflorescences
simple, sub umbellate cymes, 3 to 6 flowered; peduncles to 2.8 cm long fruiting; pedicels to 14 mm long
fruiting, when usually erect and splayed, occasionally reflexed and nodding. Calyx valvate, green, 2.5 mm
diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 0.5-1 mm long, single cell hairs scattered beneath, sepals reflexed away from
mature berries. Corolla valvate, white, 3-4.5 mm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 3 mm long, margin ciliate,
apex acute, base obtuse, stellate with translucent to yellow-green basal star, nature. Stamen 5, 3 mm
long, epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals; filament 0.5 mm long, very short, glabrous; anthers
yellow, basifixed, 1 to 1.5 mm long, apical pore dehiscent. Ovary ovoid, 0.9 - 1.2 mm long; style 2 to 3.5
mm long, middle portion densely minute glands hairs and apex erect, usually exserted beyond anthers,
up to 2.5 mm. Berries globose, 6 - 8 mm diam., dark blue or black with shiny. Seeds ovoid, 1.5-2 mm
diam., pale brownish, pitted, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout year
Distribution in the world: Africa, Australia, Caribbean Islands, Central America, China, Europe, Hawaii,
Indonesia, Irian, Jaya, Jamaica, Japan, India, New Zealand, North America, Pacific Islands, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad, Windward
Isles.
Distribution of India: Throughout, in all states.
Cytology: 2n=2x=24 (Baytis 1958; Edmonds 1972, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984a and unpublished; Henderson
1974; Randett and Symon 1976; Symon 1981; Schilling and Andersen 1990; Bukenya 1996).ranchlets
single cell hairs scattered. Leaves ovate-lanceolate to lanceolate, 3-6 x 2-4 cm long, base cuneate to
obtuse, apex at acute; lower surfaces glabrescent to moderately or densely pilose; margin entire to
sinuate, rarely sinuate dentate; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs; petioles 2-3cm long flat or terete. Inflorescences
simple, sub umbellate cymes, 3 to 6 flowered; peduncles to 2.8 cm long fruiting; pedicels to 14 mm long
fruiting, when usually erect and splayed, occasionally reflexed and nodding. Calyx valvate, green, 2.5 mm
diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 0.5-1 mm long, single cell hairs scattered beneath, sepals reflexed away from
mature berries. Corolla valvate, white, 3-4.5 mm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 3 mm
21
long, margin ciliate, apex acute, base obtuse, stellate with translucent to yellow- green basal star, nature.
Stamen 5, 3 mm long, epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals; filament 0.5 mm long, very short,
glabrous; anthers yellow, basifixed, 1 to 1.5 mm long, apical pore dehiscent. Ovary ovoid, 0.9 - 1.2 mm
long; style 2 to 3.5 mm long, middle portion densely minute glands hairs and apex erect, usually exserted
beyond anthers, up to 2.5 mm. Berries globose, 6 - 8 mm diam., dark blue or black with shiny. Seeds
ovoid, 1.5-2 mm diam., pale brownish, pitted, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout year
Distribution in the world: Africa, Australia, Caribbean Islands, Central America, China, Europe, Hawaii,
Indonesia, Irian, Jaya, Jamaica, Japan, India, New Zealand, North America, Pacific Islands, Pakistan,
Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, South America, Taiwan, Thailand, Tonga, Trinidad, Windward
Isles.
Distribution of India: Throughout, in all states.
Cytology: 2n=2x=24 (Baytis 1958; Edmonds 1972, 1977, 1982, 1983, 1984a and unpublished; Henderson
1974; Randett and Symon 1976; Symon 1981; Schilling and Andersen 1990; Bukenya 1996).
Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi Dist.: Bawanipatna, Govt. ITI road, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18008 (RPRC), N19 ̊54’96.9’’ E083 1 ̊ 0’38.5’’ and Alt. ±267 MSL; Kandhamal Dist.: Raikia, Masadika,
16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18042 (RPRC), N20 ̊04’50.0’’ E084 ̊13’80.0’’ and Alt. ±731 MSL;
Gajapati Dist.: Paralakhemundi, Ranipentha, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18054 (RPRC), N18
̊57’281’’ E084 0 ̊ 1’370’’ and Alt. ±68 MSL; Ganjam Dist.: Sorada dam side, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10502 (RPRC), N19 ̊45’903’’ E084 2 ̊ 5’224’’ and Alt. ±103 MSL; Gangapur, 22.11.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10510 (RPRC), N19 ̊47’033’’ E084 3 ̊ 6’470’’ and Alt. ±73 MSL; Aska river side,
22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10515 (RPRC), N19 ̊36’589’’ E084 ̊40’187’’ and Alt. ±50 MSL;
Nugaon, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10517 (RPRC), N19 3 ̊ 7’006’’ E084 ̊41’129’’ and Alt. ±44
MSL; Koraput Dist.: Koraput, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10536 (RPRC), N18 ̊48’336’’ E082
̊42’960’’ and Alt. ±901 MSL; Damanjodi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10542 (RPRC), N18
̊45’276’’ E082 5̊ 5’140’’ and ±933 MSL; Allabadi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10546 (RPRC),
N18 ̊46’173’’ E082 ̊56’232’’ and ±935 MSL; Khurda Dist.: Bhubaneswar, 26.02.1972, H.Saxena, 664
A22

BC D

EF
Fig. 5. Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum: A. Habit, B. & C. Inflorescence, D. & E. Fruit twig, F. Leaf
23
(RRL); O.U.A.T Farm field, 11.02.1993, N.K.Dhal & B.D.Das, 7860 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Karchuli,
15.08.1977, M.Brahmam, 2808 (RRL); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Chalala, 21.01.1983, H.Saxena & M.Brahmam,
5300 (RRL); Kalahandi Dist.: Way to mali, 28.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7604 (RRL); Khurda
Dist.: RPRC campus, Bhubaneswar, 16.11.1986, R.C.Misra, 183 (RPRC); RPRC campus, Bhubaneswar,
14.10.1994, S.C.Jena, 3225 (RPRC); Balangir Dist.: Gandhamardan hills, Harishankar, 09.04.1988,
R.C.Misra, 2267 (RPRC); Kandhamal Dist.: Majuribirha, 13.07.2006, S.C.Jena, 7003 (RPRC); Tilapanga,
17.04.2008, S.C.Jena, 8050 (RPRC).
Solanum americanum Mill. var. odishense Kalidass & Murugan., var. nov. Type: INDIA, Odisha:
Kandhamal District, G.Udayagiri Forest range, 14 Jul. 2015, 20 ̊07’204’’ N, 084 ̊22’187’’ E, ±658m,
Kalidass & Murugan 18021 (Holo-type: CAL!, Isotype: MH!, RPRC!). Fig-6.
Erect annual herbs, 100-130cm high; stem angular, branched, soft prickly, pubescent- glabrescent;
branches ascending. Leaves simple, alternate or sub-opposite, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 4-9×3-5cm,
cuneate or obtuse at base, margins entire to sinuate or sinuate-dentate, acute or acuminate at apex,
green above, pale beneath, glabrous or pubescent on both surfaces; lateral nerves 4-6 pairs; petioles 2-
3cm long flat or terete. Inflorescence, axillary or extra-axillary, umbellate or sub-umbellate cymes, 5-8
flowered. Flowers, 3-5mm long, creamy white; peduncle 2-3cm long, slender and glabrous or pubescent;
pedicels up to 8-10mm long, slender, glabrous. Calyx valvate, green, 1.5-2.5 diam., 5-lobed; each lobes
less than 1mm long, base united, deltoid, glabrous with margin ciliate and densely abaxial side single cell
hairs, reflexed away from mature berries, persistent. Corolla valvate, star-like, cream white, 3-4 mm
diam., 5-lobed; each lobes 3mm long, base united, ovate to lanceolate, reflexed, stellate with translucent
to yellow-green basal star, margin ciliate. Stamens 5, 3 mm long, epipetalous, adnate to the base of
petals; filament 0.5mm long, glabrous; anthers lanceolate, 1-2 mm long, yellow, dithecous, basifixed and
dehisces apically. Ovary globose, less than 1 mm diam., glabrous; style filiform, 1.5mm long, densely
villous in the middle portion, curved at apex; stigma capitate, green. Berries globose, 5-8mm diam. dark
blue or dull black when ripe, shiny; seeds 10-30, ovate or orbicular, 1-1.5mm long, brownish-white,
compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout year Distribution of India: Odisha. Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kandhamal District, Paburia, 14.07.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18024 (RPRC), N20
̊09’308’’ E084 1
̊ 5’339’’ and Alt. ±681 MSL; Kalinga Ghat, 15.07.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18027 (RPRC),
N20 ̊09’867’’ E084 ̊24’870’’ and Alt. ±737 MSL; Ganjam District, Sikulipadara, 19.08.2015, Kalidass &
Murugan 18045 (RPRC), N19 ̊24’086’’ E084 2 ̊ 0’372’’ and Alt. ±594 MSL; Gajapati District,
Parlakhemundi, Jajpur, 21.08.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18067 (RPRC), N18 ̊47’630’’ E084 0 ̊ 7’230’’ and
Alt. ±71 MSL; Ganjam District,
24
Fig. 6. Solanum americanum Mill. var. odishense Kalidass & Murugan: A. Habit, B. Inflorescence, C. Pistil with villous, D. Pistil with glands,
E. L.S. of flower bud of var. odishense, F. L.S. of flower bud of var. americanum, G. Fruit twig, H. Fruit

ABC D E F

GH
25
Taptapani, 22.08.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18087 (RPRC), N19 ̊29’126’’ E084 2 ̊ 3’660’’ and Alt. ±439
MSL; Sorada dam side, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10501 (RPRC), N19 4 ̊ 5’903’’ E084 ̊25’224’’
and Alt. ±103 MSL; Kshetriyabarapur, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10511 (RPRC), N19 ̊48’193’’
E084 ̊36’162’’ and Alt. ±74 MSL; Koraput Dist.: Jeypore, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10530
(RPRC), N18 ̊51’738’’ E082 3 ̊ 4’73’’ and ±609 MSL; Damanjodi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
10543 (RPRC), N18 ̊45’276’’ E082 5 ̊ 5’140’’ and Alt. ±933 MSL; Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10557 (RPRC), N18 ̊59’565’’ E083 0 ̊ 7’415’’ and ±935 MSL; Kotpad, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass
& P.Murugan, 10568 (RPRC), N19 0 ̊ 8’103’’ E082 ̊18’401’’ and ±566 MSL.
Solanum diphyllum L., Sp. Pl. 184. 1753; D’Arcy, Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard. 61: 845. 1974; Zhi Y. Zhang
et al. in C.Y. Wu & P.H. Raven, Fl. China 17: 317. 1994; T.K. Paul & M.C. Biswas, Bull. Bot. Surv. India
37: 137. 1995; M. Das et al., J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 21: 158. 1997; Nath et al., Pleione, 4(2): 314. 2010;
M.R. Kumari, Rheedea 23(1): 50. 2013; Halder et al., Botanical Sciences, 3(1):1.2014 and A.K. Singh, et
al., Annals of Plant Sciences 4(5): 1092. 2015. Fig-7.
Under shrub 1.5 m height; stem terete, glabrous, greenish brown and doted. Leaves simple, each node
one pair leaf present of which one large another small size, spirally alternate, 3.5-6 × 2-3.5 cm long,
obovate or elliptic, base at attenuate or cuneate, apex at acute, margin entire; minor leaves, elliptic or
obtuse, apex obtuse, sub- sessile 5-15×5-10 mm long, blade rounded; lateral nerves 4–6 pairs; petioles
to 5-10 mm long and winged. Inflorescences opposite to the leaves, raceme or fascicle, peduncle 5-10
mm long, pedicel 8-10 mm long, more than 8-13 flowered. Flower, small, white ca. 8 diam. Calyx valvate,
green, 2-3mm diam., constricted at the base and just proximal to 5-lobed; each lobes less than 1 mm
long, triangular, apex at acute, hirsute and glabrous. Corolla valvate, cream white sometimes pale pinkish
white, glabrous, 5-8 diam., 5-lobed; each lobes 5-6mm long, ovate to obovate, apex acute, very short
tube, margin ciliate and stellate. Stamens 5, 4 mm long, equal, adnate to the base of petals; anther
compare filament to very short, filaments less than 1 mm long, glabrous; anther less than 3 mm long,
basifixed, oblong, short, not attenuate, opening by a short apical split, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary
without a stalk, globose, 1.5 mm diam., glabrous; style 3-5 mm long, linear, glabrous; stigma capitates or
flattened. Berries globose, 6 mm diam., green tuning to yellow after reddish orange. Seeds orbicular, 2.5
mm diam., pale brownish white, pitted and compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: May - September
Distribution in the World: Native to Mexico and Central America. Widely cultivated as ornamental plants
for introduced in subtropical and tropical parts of the world.
Distribution of India: Naturalized in Odisha, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal.
26
Fig. 7. Solanum diphyllum L.: A. & B. Fruit twig, C. Habit, D. Inflorescence, E. Stem, F. Plant twigs

ACE F
B
D
27
Note: This species is very allied to the native Indian species Solanum spirale Roxburgh which occurs in
North Bengal to Myanmar and Bangladesh, but differs in its completely glabrous leaves (S. spirale has
tiny tufts of hairs in the vein axils on the abaxial surfaces) and its much smaller, orange fruits which are
held on erect pedicels (Paul, & Biswas, 1995). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi Dis.: Govdthala, 28.06.2015, Murugan and Kalidass 18015 (RPRC), N19
̊55’9.19’’ E83 ̊00’3.56’’ and Alt. ±214 MSL; Khordha Dist.: Bhubaneswar, Nayapalli, VIP Colony,
28.06.2015, Murugan and Kalidass 18015 (RPRC).
Solanum erianthum D. Don Prodr. Fl. Nepal. 96. 1825; Roe in Taxon 17:176. 1968; Deb, in Hawkes et
al., Biol. Tax. Solanc.: 105. 1979; Deb, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 1:46. 1980; Matthew, & Rani, in Matthew, Fl.
Tamil Nadu Carnatic 2:1059. 1983; H.J. Chowdhery & Wadhwa, Fl. Himachal Prad. 2:508. 1984; B.D.
Sharma et al., Fl. Karnataka: 187. 1984; Balapure, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 7:418. 1985; Chithra in A.N. Henry et
al., Fl. Tamil Nadu 2:115. 1987; Harid, & R.R. Rao, For. Fl. Meghalaya 2:647. 1987; Hepper, in Dassan,
Rev Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6:370. 1987; K.K. Nair, & M.P. Nayar, Fl. Courtallum 2:237. 1987; Chandrabose, &
N.C. Nair, Fl. Coimbatore: 206. 1988; Manilal, Fl. Silent Valley: 193. 1988; Zhiy Zhang et al., in C.Y.Wu, &
P.H. Rave, Fl. China 17:316. 1994; Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1215. 1995; A.A. Ansari, J. Eco.
Tax. Bot. 20:154. 1996; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah, & Moulali, Fl. Andhra Pradesh 2:652. 1997;
Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Medak Dist. A.P., India 166. 1998; A. Subraman., J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 23:410. 1999; H.S.
Dagar, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 23:566. 1999; R.D. Gaur, Fl. Garhwal: 434. 1999; K.K. Khanna, et al., Dicot Pl.
Uttar Prad.: 226. 1999; Seeth, et al., Fl. Gulbarga: 127. 2000; M.R. Almeida, Fl. Maharashtra, 3b:374.
2001; R.R. Mill, in Grierson, & D.G. Long, Fl. Bhutan 2(3):1049. 2001; Pallithanam, in Matthew, A Pocket
Fl. Sirumalai Hills, South India 174. 2001; Venkatappa, & Pullaiah, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 26:125. 2002;
Subbarao, & Kumari, in Rao, Fl. Visakhapatnam Dist. A.P. India 580. 2003; Madhava Chetty, et al.,
Flowering Plants of Chittoor Dist. 231. 2008; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:293.
2011; Krishna Kumar et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas and Grassland of the Nilgiris: 440.2013.-Type: “in
Valle Nepalia propa Kalmanda, 1821”, Wallich Herb. 2616c, (K!) (fide Roe, 1967). Fig-8.
S. verbascifolium auct., non L. Sp. Pl. 1: 184. 1753; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:230. 1883; Prain,
Beng. Pl. 2:746. 1903; Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bomb. Pl. 2:124. 1911; Haines, Bot. Bih. Or. 711. 1922; Gamble,
Fl. Pres. Madras 936. 1923; Kanj. et al. Fl. Assam 3:367. 1939; Sharfuddin Khan, For. Fl. Hyderabad
state 251. 1950; Yamazaki in Hara, Fl. E. Himal. 285. 1966.
Vernacular Name: Odia: Denga Bheji, Orso; Telugu: Buddama, Vasaganti, Rasagadimannu; Tamil:
Malaichundai, Aanai sundaikkai.
Perennial, small tree up to 3 to 8 m long; stem 25 cm diam., whitish brown, when the young branchlets
densely stellate-tomentose. Leaves, simple, alternate or sub- opposite, 10-30 × 5-15 cm, blade, ovate or
ovate-lanceolate, apex at acuminate, the base at cuneate or obtuse, densely stellate-tomentose beneath
and less so above;
28
lateral nerves 6-10 pairs; petiole 2.5 - 5cm long. Inflorescences cyme in long erect, peduncle unbranched
for 3-12cm; pedicels 5-8 mm long, greenish densely stellate tomentose. Flowers white, 1.3 cm across.
Calyx campanulate, 8 mm diam., pale green, 5 lobed; each lobes 3.5 mm long, lanceolate or deltoid,
densely stelllate- tomentose. Corolla, valvate, cream white 1.2cm diam., tube short, 5 lobed; each lobes,
6-7 mm long, stellate-pubescent, base centre abaxial portion pale green with glabrous. Stamens 5, 5mm
long, epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals; filaments very short 0.5-1 mm long, glabrous; anther 4
mm long, oblong, short, not attenuate, opening by a short apical split, longitudinally dehiscent. Ovary,
globose, 1.5-2 mm diam., densely needle like hairs less than 1 mm long; style 6-7 mm long, slender, apex
slightly recurved, glabrous; stigma capitate, pale greenish yellow. Berries globose, 1cm diam., pale
yellow, tomentose. Seeds orbicular, 2 mm diam., pale brownish white, pitted and compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: August - December
Chromosomes: 2n=24 (Roe, 1967).
Distribution in the World: A native of Africa, North America, Central America and Caribbean, South
America, the species has been introduced all over the tropical country.
Distribution in India: Naturalized in Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, Andaman & Nicobar Islands,
Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and West Bengal (Map 4)
Uses: Roe (1979) cited a report (Tanaka, 1976) which claimed that the fruits of S.erianthum were edible.
Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Gajapati Dist.: R. Udayagiri, stream side, 18.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18049
(RPRC), N19 ̊09’733’’ E084 0 ̊ 8’621’’ and Alt. ±630 MSL; Talada, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18079 (RPRC), N19 1 ̊ 1’544’’ E084 ̊14’553’’ and Alt. ±627 MSL; Jubagon forest, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18082 (RPRC), N19 ̊19’291’’ E084 1 ̊ 7’844’’ and Alt. ±618 MSL; Chandiput forest, 22.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18085 (RPRC), N19 2 ̊ 2’294’’ E084 ̊17’842’’ and Alt. ±593 MSL; Koraput Dist.:
Russel, Petrol bank road side, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10525 (RPRC), N18 ̊48’973’’ E082
̊41’676’’ and Alt. ±922 MSL; Koraput, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10537 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 8’336’’
E082 ̊42’960’’ and Alt. ±901 MSL; Kakirigumma, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10551 (RPRC),
N18 ̊55’510’’ E083 0̊ 0’608’’ and Alt. ±908 MSL; Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10562
(RPRC), N18 ̊59’565’’ E083 0 ̊ 7’415’’ and Alt. ±935 MSL; Kotpad, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
10569 (RPRC), N19 0 ̊ 8’103’’ E082 ̊18’401’’ and Alt. ±566 MSL; Ganjam Dist.: Koinpur, 24.11.1979,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 3854 (RRL); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Guvgarin, 12.06.1982, H.O.Saxena,
M.Brahmam & M.Prabhakar Rao, 4714 (RRL); Koraput Dist.: Pottangi to Sunki, 27.06.1989, H.O.Saxena
& M.Brahmam, 6678 (RRL); Keonjhar Dist.: Gonasika, 21.11.1993, M.Prabhakar & N.K.Dhal, 8443 (RRL);
Malkangiri Dist.: Mudulipada, 23.11.2007, M.Brahmam, D.K.Sahu & S.Biswas, 10460 (RRL); Keonjhar
Dist.: Khandadhar,
29
Fig. 8. Solanum erianthum: A. Fruits, B. Inflorescence, C. Fruit with calyx, D. Leaf, E. Habit, F. Flower
AB
C
D

EF
30
25.10.1993, S.C.Jena, 3117 (RPRC); Sanghagra, 02.11.1995, S.C.Jena, 5260 (RPRC); Nayagarh Dist.:
Daspalla, 08.05.2008, S.C.Jena, 7404 (RPRC); ANDHRA PRADESH, East Godavari Dist.: Chinthin,
15.12.1993, M. Mohanan, 100717 (MH), Alt. ±600 MSL.
Solanum pseudocapsicum L., Sp. Pl. 1: 184. 1753; Matthew, Rec. Bot. Surv. India 20: 162. 1969;
Hepper in Dassan. Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 386. 1987; Chithra, in A.N. Henry, et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu 2:
116. 1987; Kumar, et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas and Grassland of the Nilgiris 442. 2013. – Type:
Madeira. Cultivated, Anon. (lectotype, LINN 248.4, designated by D’Arcy, 1973; confirmed Knapp &
Jarvis, 1991, [BH neg. 6792]). Fig.9.
Perennial, unarmed erect large herbs to under-shrubs up to 120 cm high; branchlets terete, young
branches glabrous, sometimes pubescent. Leaves simple, alternate, lanceolate or elliptic-lanceolate, 3-10
× 1.5-3 cm, base attenuate or decurrent, apex acute, upper surface glabrous, margin entire to repand;
lateral nerves 4-8 pairs. Inflorescence extra-axillary or leaf opposed, simple cyme, mostly solitary,
sometimes 2 or 4-flowered. Flowers regular, pentamerous; peduncle 4-8 mm long, slender, glabrous;
pedicels 8-10 mm long. Calyx 5-lobed, united at base; calyx- lobes lanceolate, 7 mm long, reflexed away
from mature berries, persistent. Corolla 5-lobed, creamy white, rotate, 1.5 cm across; corolla-lobes ovate
or lanceolate, 6 mm long, apex obtuse. Stamens 5; filaments 0.5 mm long, glabrous; anthers oblong, 3.5
mm long, yellow, dithecous, basifixed and dehisces apically. Ovary globose, 1.5 mm long, glabrous; style
slender, 4.5 mm long, glabrous; stigma capitate, green. Berries globose, 1.5 cm across, bright orange
red, glabrous, glossy. Seeds 10-20, orbicular or concave, 2.5 mm long, brownish-white, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: June – September
Distribution in the World: Native of South America and introduced to Africa, Asia and Australia
Distribution in India: Sirumalai hills, Eastern Ghats (Map 5)
Chromosome number: n= 12 Randell & Symon (1976). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Dindigul District, Sirumalai Hills, Puthur, 10 ̊14’074 ‘’N, 077 ̊58’835’’E ±1189 m,
21.08.2016, Murugan 1705 (RPRC); Sirumalai Hills, Puthur to Jailani Estate, 1150 m, 15.08.2014, R.
Kottaimuthu 2030 (Saraswathi Narayanan College Herbarium).
Note: This South American species is hitherto not reported in the Eastern Ghats. Hence, the present
collection from Sirumalai forms a new record to the Eastern Ghats.

31 ABC

D
Fig. 9. Solanum pseudocapsicum L.: A. Habit, B. Flower, D. Fruit, E. Immature fruit
32
Solanum pubescens Willd., Phyt. 1: 5. 1794; Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. Orient. t. 1402. 1848; Clarke in Hook.f.
Fl. Brit. India 4: 230. 1883; Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 232. 1895; Gamble, Fl. Madras 2: 936. 1923;
Matthew, Mat. Fl. Tamilnadu Carnatic 279. 1981; Hepper in Dassan. Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 369.
1987; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah, & Moulali, Fl. Andhra Pradesh 2: 653. 1997. - Type: India
Orientalis, Wall. Cat. 2629a ex-herb. Heyne s.n.-CAL! Lectotype; Wall. Cat. 2629b ex-herb. Wight. s.n. !
K, CAL, BM). Fig-10.
Perennial, unarmed bushy shrubs up to 1.5-2 m high; branchlets slender, young parts fulvous-pubescent,
viscous nature, mature parts glabrous. Leaves simple, alternate, ovate-cordate or elliptic-ovate, 6-10 × 3-
6 cm long, obliquely-truncate or cordate at base, margin entire or sparsely repand, obtuse or acute at
apex, pale green above, chartaceous, pubescent with yellowish trichomes; lateral nerves 4-8 pairs,
reticulate. Petioles up to 4 cm long, flat, pubescent with trichomes. Inflorescences extra-axillar or axillary,
racemose cyme, 2 or more branches, 6-10 flowers; peduncle up to 3.5 cm long, slender, pubescent.
Flowers regular, pentamerous pedicels up to 1.5 cm long, pubescent. Calyx valvate, 1.2 cm in diameter,
united at base, 5-lobed; each lobe, 7 mm long, lanceolate or ovate, densely stellate-pubescent at outside,
inside glabrous, persistent. Corolla violet, 2.5 cm in across, rotate, glabrous at inside, densely stellate with
linear trichomes at outside, 5-lobed; each lobe, 10 mm long, ovate-lanceolate or lanceolate, apex obtuse
to acute or mucronate. Stamens 5, epipetalous, heteroanther; filaments 2 mm long, glabrous; anthers 7
mm long, in four equal, but only one large 9 mm long, yellow, sparsely apex dark blackish pink and
slightly curved, dithecous, basifixed, dehiscent at apical pores. Ovary less than 2 mm long, globose,
glabrous, sparsely apex short glands; style slender, up to 2.5 cm long, glabrous, S-shaped; stigma
capitate, green. Berries globose, less than 1.5 cm across, yellow, glabrous, glossy, fruiting pedicels up to
3 cm long. Seeds 10-20, per berries, orbicular or concave, 3.5 mm long, brownish-white, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: August – October
Distribution in the World: India & Ceylon
Distribution in India: Eastern Ghats: Alagakovil hills, Karandhamalai hills, Kalrayans hills, Penukonda
R.F., Somandapalli R.F., Pennahobilam
Specimens examined:
INDIA: Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam District, Pedachema R.F, 23.09.1985, R.K.Mohan, 0842 (CAL);
Chittoor Dist., near urugutta, 28.12.1975, G.V.Subbarao 46813 (CAL) Alt. 375 MSL; Panapakam-
Amudalakona, 14.06.1962, G.V.Subbarao 31844 (CAL) Alt. 400
33
MSL; Cuddapah District, Guvvaleheruvu, 22.08.1958, K.Subramanyam 6386 (CAL) Alt. 1000 MSL;
Locality ?, Feb. 1883, J.S.Gamble 10987 (CAL); Nagrijuna Konda valley between siddhartha hills and
museum hills, 13.07.1961, K.Thothathiri 9646 (CAL). Tamil Nadu, Coimbatore District, Nellimalai,
16.12.1963, A.N.Henry 08 (CAL); Nellimlai R.F., 22.05.1962, K.Ramamurthy 14065 (CAL), Alt. 450 MSL;
Aliyar submergible area, 25.07.1962, K.M.Sebastine 14589 (CAL), Alt. 350 MSL; Foot of Anamalai,
26.01.1962, J.Joseph 13574 (CAL), Alt. 500 MSL; Kuridimalai, 20.08.1956, K.Subramanyam 554 (CAL),
Alt. 600 MSL; Thekkapatti, 14.09.1956, K.Subramanyam 736 (CAL), Alt. 700 MSL; Kuridimalai,
21.12.1956, K.Subramanyam 1807 (CAL), Alt. 533 MSL; Kuridimalai, 04.12.1956, K.Subramanyam 1608
(CAL), Alt. 866 MSL; Maruthamalai hills, 14.08.1956, K.M.Sebastine 540 (CAL), Alt. 633 MSL; arachalur,
17.10.1905, C.E.E.Fisher 468 (CAL), Alt. 650 MSL; Madurai District, Algar Kovil foot hills, ± 265 M,
23.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass 10716 (RPRC), N10 0 ̊ 4.416’ E078 1 ̊ 2.723’; Foot of murugumalai,
12.06.1961, K.M.Sebastine 12510 (CAL), Alt. 333 MSL; foot of Alagar hills, 10.06.1957, K.Subramanyam
3348 (CAL), Alt. 167 MSL; Echimalai, 25.10.1977, M.Chandrabose 51683 (CAL), Alt. 400 MSL; Dindigul
District, Karandhamalai foot hills, way to Ayyanar waterfalls, ± 369 M, 27.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass
10731 (RPRC), N10 2 ̊ 1.218’ E078 1 ̊ 2.774’. Tirunelveli District, Nateikal, 12.02.1913, D.Hooper and
M.S.Ramaswami 38447 (CAL); Kodamady, 24.07.1966, B.V.Shetty 27932 (CAL), Alt. 210 MSL; Salem
Dist., Hogainakkal forest, 12.07.1964, K.Ramamurthy, 20582 (CAL), Alt. 275 MSL; Attur, Pachaimalais,
Naduvoor, 28.07.1978, K.M.Matthew & N.Venugopal, 15677 (CAL), Alt. 300 MSL; Mettur, Mettur dam,
salem camp ghat road, 06.12.1978, K.M.Matthew & T.S.Jayaseelan 19640 (CAL), Alt. 100 MSL;
Ramanad District, Vellamalai forest, sivagangai, 12.08.1964, K.Ramamurthy 20241 (CAL), Alt. 100 MSL;
Thavazhaperumal kuttam to the periar dam, 16.02.1979, N.C.Nair 60827 (CAL), Alt. 250 MSL; Eriyz,
Thiruppathur, 29.11.1977, N.C.Nair 52939 (CAL), Alt. 200 MSLPeriyar Dist., Bhavani- Kattalai Barrages
areas, 05.12.1986, K.Ramamurthy 84628 (CAL), Alt. 30 MSL; South Arcot District, Gomukanadhi MHEP
areas, Kalrayans, 27.06.1986, K.Ramamurthy 77579 (CAL), Alt. 210 MSL; Palapatti forest, Gomuki-
vellimalai ghat section, 06.02.1983, K.Ramamurthy 77363 (CAL), Alt. 225 MSL; Parigam R.F.,
07.09.1977, K.Ramamurthy 50651 (CAL), Alt. 325 MSL; Dharmapuri District, Theggatty forest, 24.07.198,
E.Vajravelu 57958 (CAL), Alt. 750 MSL; Denkanikotta, Kesthur Reserve forest, 19.12.1978, K.M.Matthew
20946 (CAL), Alt. 650 MSL; Emanoor, Cauvery banks, 07.12.1978, K.M.Matthew 19746 (CAL), Alt. 250
MSL; Harur, Shevaroys, B.Pallipatty hill shrine, 07.11.1978, K.M.Matthew 19037 (CAL), Alt. 500 MSL;
Harur, Tirthamalai, vadakathi dam, 18.06.1978, K.M.Matthew & N.Venugopal 141990 (CAL), Alt. 360
MSL; Theer thamalai R.F., 13.11.1977, E.Vajravelu 51801 (CAL), Alt. 400 MSL.

B 34 ACD

EG H
Fig. 10. Solanum pubescens Willd: A. Plant twigs, B. Inflorescence, C. Flower, D. Calyx & Corolla, E. Stamen, F. L.S. of flower, G. Seed, H.
Fruit
F
35
Solanum seaforthianum Andrews Bot. Repos. tab. 504. 1808; Sims, Bot. Mag. 45: t. 1982. 1818;
Hepper in Dassan. Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 387. 1987; Haines, Bot. Bihar & Orissa 2: 611 (640). 1922;
Saxena & Brahmam Fl. Orissa 2: 1222. 1995; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah, & Moulali, Fl. Andhra
Pradesh 2: 654. 1997. - Type: Grown in England, the seeds from the West Indies, no specimens known
(lectotype, Andrews, Bot. Repos. tab. 504. 1808, designated by Symon, 1981: 67). Fig-11.
Solanum cyrrhosum Dunal Sol. Gen. Syn. 9, t. 91. 1816: Solanum kerrii Bonati Bull. Soc. Bot. Genève 5:
309. 1914: Solanum prunifolium Roem. & Schult. Syst. Veg. 4: 662. 1819: Solanum salignum Roem. &
Schult. Syst. Veg. 4: 663. 1819: Solanum venustum Kunth Index Sem. (Berlin) 10. 1845.
Perennial scandent-vines, twining up to 1.5 m high; branchlets terete, glabrous or sparsely pubescent.
Leaves simple or more often pinnatifid or pinnately lobed with up to 4 pairs of leaflets, elliptic to broadly
triangular in outline, 4 -13 x 4-8 cm long, base truncate or slightly cordate, occasionally oblique and
asymmetric, apex acute to acuminate; the upper surfaces glabrous or with tiny simple uniseriate
trichomes on the veins and margins, the lower surfaces glabrous; margins less commonly entire, usually
3-7 lobed. Petioles 1-4 cm long, slender, glabrous with simple trichomes. Inflorescences terminal, later
lateral, pendulous panicles; peduncle up to 10 or more cm long, with many open, divaricate branches,
with up to 30 or more flowers, glabrous. Flowers regular, 5-merous. Pedicels up to 15 mm long, slender,
pinkish green, glabrous. Calyx bell-shaped, tube approximately 2 mm, flattened, glabrous, 5 lobed; each
lobe less than 0.2 mm long, triangular, glabrous, Corolla violet or pale violet, star shaped, 2.5 cm in
diameter, stellate-rotate, deeply 5-lobed; each lobes 5-9 mm in long, spreading or slightly cupped at
anthesis, densely and minutely pubescent on the tips and margins. Stamens 5; filaments 2.5 mm long,
glabrous; anthers oblong, 4 mm long, yellow, dithecous, basifixed and dehisces apically. Ovary less than
1.5 mm long, globose, glabrous; style slender, 10 mm long, linear, light purple, glabrous; stigma capitate,
purple. Berries globose, 1.5 cm across, bright orange red, glabrous, glossy. Seeds 4-20 per berries,
orbicular, 3 mm long, brown, fibrous like densely long linear hairs.
Flowering & Fruiting: August – March
Distribution in the World: Native of Brazil widely naturalized in the tropics and sub- topics.
Distribution in India: Eastern Ghats: Sirumalai hills, Yercaud hills, Yelagiri hills and Andhra Pradesh
Specimens examined:
INDIA, Tamil Nadu, North Arcot District, Kavalur, ±750 m, 20.11.1977, E. Vajravelu 51995 (CAL!); North
Arcot District, Athanaur-yelagiri hills, ±925 m, 17.03.1978, E. Vajravelu 53466 (CAL!); Madurai District,
Sirumalai hills, ±266 m, 18.02.1958, K. Subramanyam 5354 (CAL!); Sirumalai hills, 26.02.1978, M.
Chandrabose 54296 (CAL!); Way to paichalur, ±950 m, 19.10.1977, M. Chandrabose 57388 (CAL!);
Nilgiri District,
36
Fig.11. Solanum seaforthianum Andrews: A. Plant twigs, B. Inflorescence, C. & D. Seeds E. Corolla, F. Stamen, G. Fruit

ACF GB
DE
37
Burliar, 01.03.1978, D.K. Hore 582 (CAL!); Kallar, 15.12.1963, A.N.Henry 005 (CAL!); Salem District,
Shevaroys, Kuppanur to Kottachedu jeep road, ±500 m, 24.08.1978, K.M. Matthew, Perumal &
Manoharan 16569 (CAL!); Dharmapuri District, Denkanikotta, Karetty, Kathiripallam banks, ±500 m,
07.09.1978, K.M. Matthew & Venugopal 17038 (CAL!); Denkanikotta, D.Kotta, ±950 m, 19.12.1978,
Diraviam 20537 (CAL!). Andhra Pradesh, Prakasam District, Thummalabailu R.f., 14.07.1984, R.K.
Mohan 938 (CAL!).
Solanum villosum Mill., Gard. Dict. ed. 8. no. 2. 1768; Abedin, et al., Pak. J. Bot. 23(2):271. 1991;
Kumar, et al., Indian Forester 139(11):1053. 2013. Fig-12.
Solanum miniatum Bernh. ex Willd. Enum. Pl. 1: 236. 1809. Solanum nigrum var. humile (Bernh. ex
Willd.) C.Y. Wu & S.C. Huang Acta Phytotax. Sin. 16(2):72. 1978.
Annual, erect herbs 40-100 cm high; branchlets terete, ascending multiple branched, glabrescent. Leaves
simple, alternate, ovate or ovate-lanceolate, 3.5-8 × 2.5-3.5 cm long, apex acute to acuminate, cuneate to
decurrent at base, margin entire or sinuate to coarsely dentate, sparsely pubescent with pale beneath;
venation pinnate, lateral nerves 4-8 pairs; petiole 1-2 cm long, flat, glabrous. Inflorescences extra-axillary
or axillary, umbellate or sub-umbellate; peduncle 1 cm long, erect, glabrous; pedicels 1-2 cm long,
glabrous. Flowers regular, pentamerous, 4-8 flowered. Calyx 1.5-2 mm in diameter, cup-shaped, 5-lobed,
base united; calyx-lobes deltoid, 0.5 mm long, green, glabrescent, reflexed away from mature berries,
persistent. Corolla 3-6 mm in diameter, 5-lobed; corolla-lobes ovate, 2.5 mm long, the glabrous prominent
purple line at median adaxially, apex obtuse or acute, reflexed. Stamens 5; filaments 0.5 mm long,
slender, glabrous; anthers oblong, 1.5 mm long, yellow, basifixed and dehisces apically. Ovary globose,
less than 1.5 mm long, glabrous; style 3 mm long, filiform, densely villous at the base to middle, erect at
apex; stigma capitate, green. Berries globose, 6-10 mm in diameter, orange or reddish to orange,
glabrous. Seeds discoid, 1.5 mm in diameter, brownish yellow, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: September – December
Distribution in the World: Central & South Europe, South Asia and India.
Distribution in India: Eastern Ghats: Nayagarh (Khandapada & Dassapalla). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Nayagarh District, Khandapada forest range, Khandapada, N20 ̊15.685’ E085 1 ̊ 0.035’,
±84 MSL, 22. 11. 2016, Kalidass & Murugan 10737 (RPRC); Chadeibasa R.F., foot hills, N20 ̊15.345’
E085 ̊10.689’, ±95 MSL, 22. 11. 2016, Kalidass & Murugan 10739 (RPRC); Dasapalla, near paddy field,
N20 ̊20.009’ E084 ̊51.839’, ±119 MSL, 24. 11. 2016, Kalidass & Murugan 10747 (RPRC).
38
Fig. 12. Solanum villosum Mill.: A. Habit, B. Plant twigs, C. Inflorescence, D. Dorsal view of flower, E. Fruits, F. Ventral view of flower

ABC D

EF
39
Solanum nigrum L. and Murugan., Type; INDIA, ODISHA: Kandhamal District, G. Udayagiri Forest
Range, 14 Jul. 2015, 20o 07’204’’N, 084o 22’187’’E, + 658m, Kalidass and Murugan 18021. Fig-13.
Description: Annual or perennial, mostly herbs to shrubs, rarely small trees, sometimes scandent vine or
climbing. Plants unarmed or armed with straight or curved prickles, rarely glabrous, usually pubescent
with simple or multicellular, glandular or stellate, sometimes sticky. Leaves variable in size, simple,
usually alternate or sub-opposite, margin entire or sinuate or lobed or pinnatisect or imparipinnate;
petiolate. Inflorescence usually axillary or extra-axillary, rarely terminal, less commonly in the axils of the
leaves or stems, or leaf-opposed, variously cyme, appearing racemose, sub umbellate or paniculate,
rarely reduced to a solitary. Flowers usually hermaphrodite but some species andromonoecious or
dioecious, rarely cleistogamous. Calyx campanulate, rotate or cupular, mostly 5 (rarely 4-7) toothed or
lobed, sometimes enlarged to enclose the fruit. Corolla deeply stellate, rotate stellate, rotate or
campanulate mostly 5 (rarely 4-7)- lobed; lobes plicate in the bud, most often shades of violet, purple or
blue, less often white or yellow, sometimes slightly zygomorphic. Stamens 5, inserted on the corolla
throat, alternating with the corolla lobes, usually exserted; filaments usually much shorter than the
anthers; anthers oblong or lanceolate in outline, often connivent and forming a cone around the style or
free and divergent, sometimes unequal with one or several anthers enlarged, opening by terminal pores
or slits or splitting down the anther sac, usually conspicuously yellow. Ovary superior; usually locules 2
(rarely 3 or 4), with many ovules; style simple, erect or sigmoid, filiform, glabrous; stigma usually small or
slightly enlarged, capitate or bifid. Fruit a berry, usually globose but sometimes ovoid and rarely conical,
when ripe succulent, papery or bony, rarely dry and subcapsular, pale green, yellow, orange, red, purple,
black or ivory white, sometimes aromatic. Seeds orbicular or sub reniform, compressed, often minutely
pitted or reticulate less often muricate or pubescent, pale buff to brown or black; embryo curved,
submarginal; endosperm present.
Flowering and fruiting- Throughout the year.
Distribution of India- Odisha Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kandhamal District, Paburia, 14.07.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18024 (RPRC), N20
̊09’308’’ E084 1̊ 5’339’’ and Alt. ±681 MSL; Kalinga Ghat, 15.07.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18027 (RPRC),
N20 ̊09’867’’ E084 ̊24’870’’ and Alt. ±737 MSL; Ganjam District, Sikulipadara, 19.08.2015, Kalidass &
Murugan 18045 (RPRC), N19 ̊24’086’’ E084 2 ̊ 0’372’’ and Alt. ±594 MSL; Gajapati District,
Parlakhemundi, Jajpur,
Fig. 13. Solanum nigrum L. : Inflorescence
40
41

Spiny Solanum Species

Solanum asperolanatum Ruiz & Pav., Fl. Peruv. 2: 39, t. 174. 1799. – Type: Peru, t. 1766 in Ruiz &
Pav., Fl. Peru 2: 40. 1799.
Solanum hispidum Pers., Syn. pl. 1: 228. 1805; Alston in Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 207. 1931; Rao,
A.N.V. in Bull. Bot. Surv. India 11: 197. 1969; Symon, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4: 113. 1981; Hepper in
Dassan. Rev. Handb. Fl. Ceylon 6: 362. 1987; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4: 295.
2011; Nidhan Singh et al., Phytodiversity 1: 34. 2014. Fig-14.
Common Name: Devil’s figPerennial, erect small trees, 1.5-3 m high; branchlets slender, broad at base,
flat, recurved prickles, young branches ferruginous- stellate tomentose, with stalking. Leaves simple,
alternate or sub-opposite, elliptic-broadly ovate or ovate, 10-25×12-25 cm in long, base oblique or
rounded, acute to acuminate at apex, sparsely ferruginous-puberulent abaxially with a few scattered
straight prickles at the vein, pale beneath adaxially, margin entire to deeply 7-11 lobed; lateral nerves, 8-
11 pairs. Petiole 3-7 cm long, slender, stellate tomentose some times prickles present. Inflorescences
extra-axillary, compound cyme, 20-40 flowered; peduncle stout less than 4 cm long, two or more
branches, ferruginous-tomentose. Flowers regular, pentamerous. Pedicel less than 1 cm long, slender,
brown rusty tomentose. Calyx green, vlavate, 1.5 cm in diameter, 5-lobed; each lobe, 7 mm long, ovate,
apex acuminate to linear, upper surface densely stellate-pubescent. Corolla white, valvate, 4 cm in
diameter, 5-lobed; each lobe, 1 cm in long, lanceolate, upper surface densely stellate-pubescent.
Stamens 5, epipetalous, connate at base, between two corolla lobes; filament 2.5 mm long, glabrous;
anthers 8 mm long, lanceolate, yellow, dithecus, basifixed, dehiscent apical pores. Ovary 2 mm in long,
globose, glabrous; style 14 mm long, linear, glabrous, sparsely apex spent; stigma capitate, green.
Berries globose, 1.5 cm in diameter, when immature pale green or dark green, yellow at maturity, finally
brown dried. Seeds 2-3 mm diameter, discoid or orbicular, brownish white, compressed.
Flowering & Fruiting: August – February
Distribution in the World: Native of South America now introduced to Venezula, Bolivia, Colombia,
Eqcudor, Chile and Asia.
Distribution in India: Easten Ghats- Shevaroy hills & Kolli hills Specimens examined:
INDIA, Tamil Nadu, Namakkal District, Kolli hills, Solakkadu, ± 1185 M, 24.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass
10723 (RPRC), N11 ̊18.567’ E078 ̊20.897’; Kolli hills, Solakkadu to Semmedu road side, ± 1185 M,
24.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass 10726 (RPRC),
42
Fig. 14. Solanum asperolanatum: A. Plant twigs, B. Leaf, C. Flower, D. Fruit twig, E. Inflorescence, F. Stamen

ABE
C
F
D
43
N11 ̊18.567’ E078 ̊20.897’; Kolli hills, Sethukadai, ± 1136 M, 25.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass 10729
(RPRC), N11 ̊20.212’ E078 2 ̊ 1.376’; Salem District, Yercaud hills, Pagoda point view along road side, 01.
02. 2017, Kalidass & Murugan 10784 (RPRC); Kaveri peak, yercaud, ±1400 m, 04.11.1968, D.B. Deb
31319 (CAL!); Orchidarium area, Shevaroys, ±1500 m, 27.02.1964, A.V.N. Rao 18215 (CAL!); Osallur,
Shevaroys, killiyer falls, ±1425 m, 18.03.1979, N. Venugopal 22320 (CAL!); Shevaroys, Keerakkadu,
±1475 m, 24.08.1978, K.M.Matthew, Perumal & Manoharan 16586 (CAL!); Yercaud, Shevaroys,
Shevaroyan temple, ±1900 m, 12.05.1978, V. Alphonae Amalraj 13685 (CAL!); Yercaud, Kongampallam,
±1400 m, 09.05.1978, A. Mohan 13433 (CAL!).
Solanum cordatum Forssk. Fl. Aegypt.-Arab. 47. 1775; Wood in Kew Bull. 39: 134. 1984; Hepper &
Friis, Pl. Forssk. Fl. Aegypt.-Arab.: 232. 1994; A. Ramachandran & M.B. Viswanathan, Rheedea 20(1):
56. 2010. –
Type: YEMEN. Naqil Khailan between Beui Harath & Nehm, north east of Sanaa, 2400 m, 12 May 1978,
J. R. I. Wood 2327 (neotype, designated by Wood 1984: K! [K000441137]; isoneotype: BM!
[BM000942294]).
Solanum gracilipes Decne. in Jacq., Voy. Inde 4(3): 113, pl. 119. 1844; Clarke in Hooker, Fl. Brit. India 4:
237. 1883; Cooke, Fl. Bombay 2: 268. 1905; Deb in Hawkes et al., Biol. Tax. Solanac.: 107. 1979 & in J.
Econ. Taxon. Bot. 1: 47. 1980.
Armed, scrambling undershrubs, up to 100 cm high; branchlets slender, stellate- tomentose throughout,
ash white, prickles, curved or straight, broad at base, narrowed with a sharp end, yellow. Leaves simple,
alternate or sub-opposite, sub- orbicular or orbicular-oblong, 2.5- 6.5 × 2-5 cm, cuneate, attenuately
cuneate or decurrent at base, faintly irregularly sinuate or repand, obtuse or acute at apex, dark green
above, pale green below; midrib with 1 or 2 prickles on either side; lateral nerves 4-7 pairs, rarely few
prickles; petioles up to 2cm, very narrowly winged. Inflorescences solitary, supra-axillary; pedicels
slender, up to 3 cm, prickly. Calyx campanulate- rotate, 6 - 7 mm in diameter, stellate-tomentose outside,
glabrous inside, 5-lobed; each lobe, 4 mm in long, linear-deltoid or subulate, entire, bluntly obtuse at
apex. Corolla blue outside, bluish white inside, purple at the throat, 2 cm across, 5-lobed; each lobe, 8-10
mm, orbicular, faintly sinuate or undulate, obtusely acuminate at apex, stellate-tomentose outside,
glabrous inside. Stamens 5; filaments 2 mm, flat, glabrous; anthers lanceolate, 7.5 mm, basifixed, slightly
curved, yellow, poricidal. Ovary ovoid, 1.2 mm in long, sparsely pubescent with multicellular trichomes,
dull white; style 8 mm, linear, slightly apex at curved, glabrous; stigma capitates, green. Berries globose-
ovoid, less than 1.5 cm in diameter, yellowish red; fruiting pedicels 3.5 cm, accrescent. Seeds
subreniform to orbicular, 3.5 mm in long, verrucose, dark blackish brown at center, pale blackish brown at
the margin.
Flowering & Fruiting: Throughout the year.
Distribution in the World: Northeastern Africa; Arabian Peninsula to Afghanistan and the northern Indian.
Distribution in India: Eastern Ghats (Kolli hills)
44
Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. Ic. 3:22. tab. 243. 1795; Naray. & Meenakshi in Madr. Agric. Journ. 42:
48. 1965; R.R. Rao, & Razi, in Curr. Sci. 43: 734. 1974; Deb in J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 1: 46. 1980; Chithra,
in A.N. Henry, et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu 2: 115. 1987; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:
292. 2011. –
Type: Cultivated in Madrid from “America calidiore” [“del viaje de los espanoles alrededor del mundo,
Cult. en el R. J. Bot. 1793”], Anonymous s. n. (lectotype, designated by Knapp 2007b: MA! [MA-476348-
2]; isolectotype: MA! [MA-476348-1). Fig. 15.
Solanum dealbatum Lindl. Trans. Hort. Soc. London 7: 52. 1830: Solanum elaeagnifolium var.
Angustifolium Kuntze Revis. Gen. Pl. 3(3): 225. 1898: Solanum elaeagnifolium var. argyrocroton Griseb.
Abh. Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 24: 255. 1879: Solanum elaeagnifolium var. grandiflorum Griseb. Abh.
Königl. Ges. Wiss. Göttingen 24: 255. 1879: Solanum elaeagnifolium var. leprosum (Ortega) Dunal Prodr.
13(1): 291. 1852: Solanum elaeagnifolium var. obtusifolium (Dunal) Dunal Prodr. 13(1): 291. 1852:
Solanum flavidum Torr. Ann. Lyceum Nat. Hist. New York 2: 227 1828: Solanum leprosum Ortega Nov.
Pl. Descr. Dec. 9: 115. 1800: Solanum obtusifolium Dunal Solan. Syn. 26. 1816.
Annual or perennial, erect herbs up to 60 cm high; branchlets slender, densely stellate-tomentose, with a
few scattered reddish-brown needle like straight prickles 2-6 mm long. Leaves simple, alternate,
lanceolate or oblong-lanceolate, 4-12 × 1.5- 3 cm long, obtuse to acute at apex, base sub-cordate or
oblique, margin entire to shallowly sinuate or wavy, dark green to pale grayish green, stellate-tomentose;
lateral nerves 6-10 pairs. Petiole 1.5-3 cm long, stellate-tomentose, sometimes prickly. Inflorescences
extra-axillary, cyme, 1-5 flowered; peduncle 1-2.5 cm long. Flowers regular, pentamerous; pedicel 1-2 cm
long, sparsely prickly with stellate hairs. Calyx valvate, 1.5 cm diam., surface stellate with a few scattered
prickles, 5-lobed; each lobe unequal size, ca. 5-8 mm long, lanceolate, apex acute or acuminate. Corolla
2.5- 4 cm diam., violet to purple, rotate, 5-lobed; each lobes 4-6 mm long, lanceolate, base obtuse,
outside surface middle portion densely stellate hairs, glabrous. Stamens 5, connate at base corolla;
filament very short, 1.5 mm long, glabrous; anther linear, 7-9 cm long, yellow, basifixed, apical pore
dehiscent. Ovary globose, 2 mm long, densely stellate pubescent; style, 1.2 cm long, linear, sparsely
towards base stellate hairs, glabrous; stigma capitate. Berries 1.4 cm in dim., calyx enlarged, (immature)
pale greenish white line patches, yellow to orange at maturity. Seeds 2-3 mm in diameter, discoid or
orbicular, compressed, smooth, flat, brown.
Flowering & Fruiting: August – October
Distribution in the World: Native of South America now naturalized throughout the tropical countries.
Distribution in India: Eastern Ghats: Coimbatore and Sirumalai hills
Uses: The steroidal alkaloid Solasodine used in the preparation of contraceptive and corticosteroid drugs
has been commercially extracted from S. elaeagnifolium berries in India
45
Fig. 15. Solanum elaeagnifolium: A. Plant twigs, B. Flower, C. Calyx, D. Corolla, E. Pistil, F. Stamen, G. Fruit, H. Seeds, I. Habit
B AC D E

FI
GH
46
(Maiti, 1967) and Argentina, making it the most promising source among Solanum species investigated
(Heap et al ., 1997).
Chromosome number: n=12 Randell & Symon (1976) and n = 12, n = 36 Fedorov (1969). Specimens
examined:
INDIA: Tamil Nadu, Dindigul District, Sirumalai foot hills, GRI Campus opposite road side, ± 304 M,
26.08.2016, Murugan and Kalidass 10730 (RPRC), N10 1 ̊ 7.002’ E077 5 ̊ 5.709’; Base of Sirumalai, 260 m,
14.08.2014, R. Kottaimuthu 1999 (Saraswathi Narayanan College Herbarium); Coimbatore District,
Sankanur, ± 450 M, 09.05.1960, N.P. Balakrishnan 10094 (CAL!).
Note: Even though it is a wide spread species in Southern India, its distribution is scarce in Tamil Nadu.
Venkatappa & Pullaiah (2002) has included this species in Solanaceae of the Eastern Ghats mainly
based on the specimens collected from the plains of Coimbatore. Hence the present collection is the first

report for the Eastern Ghats. Solanum giganteum Jacq. Collectanea 4: 125. 1791; Wight, Ic. Pl. Ind. Or. T.

893. 1844- 45; Clarke in Hook.f. Fl. Br. Ind. 4: 233. 1883; Trimen, Handb. Fl. Ceylon 3: 233. 1895; Bitter,
Bot. Jabrb. Syst. 57: 256. 1921; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 2: 937. 1923; Heine in Hepper, Fl. W. Trop.
Afr. ed. 2, 2: 322. 1963; Symon, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4: 117. 1981; Hepper in Dassan. Rev. Handb. Fl.
Ceylon 6: 382. 1987; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah, & Moulali, Fl. Andhra Pradesh 2: 652. 1997. -
Type: Cultivated in Vienna, original material from South Africa, Cape of Good Hope, N. J. Jacquin s. n.
(lectotype, designated by Vorontsova & Knapp Syst. Bot. Monog. in press: W! [W0000608]; isolectotype:
W! [W0000609]). Fig. 16.
Perennial, armed erect small trees up to 4-6 m high; branchlets slender, densely white stellate pubescent
on stems, base broad short stout prickles. Leaves simple, alternate, broadly elliptic or oblong-lanceolate,
8-30 × 4-8 cm, base cuneate to attenuate, acute to acuminate at apex, glabrous with dark green above,
white stellate-tomentose below, margin entire; lateral nerves, 10-16 pairs. Petiole 4-8 cm long, slender,
white stellate-tomentose. Inflorescences extra-axillary or axillary, umbellate panicles or corymb like up to
20 flowers; Peduncle up to 5 cm long. Flowers regular, pentamerous. Pedicel up to 1 cm long, slender,
white stellate-tomentose. Calyx green, vlavate, 5-lobed; each lobe unequal, deltoid or triangular, upper
surface densely stellate-pubescent. Corolla violet, valvate, up to 8 mm in across, 5-lobed; each lobe, 1 cm
in long, oblong or ovate, base obtuse, apex acute, glabrous above. Stamens 5, epipetalous, connate at
base, between two corolla lobes; filament 1-2 mm long, glabrous; anthers up to 6 mm long, oblong,
yellow, dithecus, basifixed, dehiscent apical pores. Ovary 1.5 mm in long, globose, glabrous; style up to 8
mm long, linear, glabrous, erect; stigma simple, green. Berries globose, up to 1.5 cm in diameter, when
immature pale green or dark green, scarlet at maturity.

47 AB
Fig. 16. Solanum giganteum Jacq. A. Habit & B. Fruits
48
Flowering & Fruiting: October – February
Distribution in the World: Originally to Africa from the Cape to Ethiopia now introduced to the tropical and
sub-tropical country.
Distribution in India: Sirumalai hills, Kolli hills, Shevaroys hills (Eastern Ghats), Sapparla and Mayurbhanj.
Chromosome number: n = 12 Randell & Symon (1976). Specimens examined:
INDIA: Odisha, Keonjhar, way to Thakurani hills, 19.02.1973, 3500 ft, G.N.Tribedi & R.N. Kayal 447
(CAL); Andhra Pradesh, Visakhapatnam District, Sapparla, 08.06.1968, 1000 MSL, G.V.Subbarao
30096 (CAL); Tamil Nadu, Kanniyakumari District, Left flank saddle no.3 upper kodayar, 20.03.1985,
1300 MSL, R.Gopalan, 77190 (CAL); Upper kodayar – towards, 07.08.1977, 1300 MSL, A.N.Henry 49630
(CAL); Nilgiri District, Kotagiri, 02.07.1973, G.N.Tribedi & R.N.Kayal 603 (CAL); Mudumalai forest,
18.11.1958, 900 MSL, K.M.Sebastine 7372 (CAL); road to kodanad-Kotagiri, 05.01.1957, 1966 MSL,
K.Subramanyam 1934 (CAL); Coonoor, 29.10.1878, G.King, s.n, Acc. No: 315778 (CAL); Coimbatore
District, Poonath anaimalais, 14.08.1905, C.A.barber 8438 (CAL); Anamalai hills, 26.06.1973, G.N.Tribedi
& R.N.Kayal 560 (CAL); Sholaiyar submergiable area, 28.12.1963, 1060 MSL, K.Ramamurthy 18176
(CAL); Madurai District, Amaravathi saganaw- lower dam, 22.06.1968, 800 MSL, D.B.Deb 30146 (CAL);
Tirunelveli District, way to Naterikal, 20.09.1967, 1000 MSL, E.Vajravelu 29164 (CAL).
Solanum melongena L. var. insanum (L.) Prain, Bengal Pl. 746. 1903; Duthie, Fl. Upp. Gang. Pl. 2:127.
1911; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 937(658). 1923; Deb, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 1:49. 1980; Matthew, Fl. Tamil
Nadu Carnatic 2:1061. 1983; Rao, et al., Fl. West Godavari Dist. A.P., India 296. 1986; Saxena, &
Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1217. 1995; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah & Moulali, Fl. Andhra Prad. 2: 653.
1997; Suryanarayana & Sreenivasa Rao, Fl. Nellore Dist. Andhra Pradesh 382. 2002; Madhava Chetty, et
al., Flowering Plants of Chittoor Dist. 231.2008; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats.
4:298. 2011. Fig. 17.
S. insanum L. Mant. 46. 1767 (Type: Africa herb. Linn. 248. 29! LINN).
S. melongena spontaneum L. Sp. Pl. 186. 1753.
Annual or perennial, diffuse under shrubs, up to 60 cm high; stem terete, two types of prickles, re-curved
prickles and sometimes needle like prickles, dark brown and stellate tomentose hairs. Leaves simple,
alternate or sub-opposite, 4-7×3-4.5 cm long, blade, ovate, 2-4 lobed or undulate margin, the base at
oblique or obtuse, apex at acute or obtuse; petiole 1.5-3 cm long, with re-curved prickles. Inflorescences
extra axillary, cyme, 1-3 flowered but base flowers only fertile; peduncle 4-8 mm long; pedicle 1-2 cm
long. Flowers blue or violet, 1-2.5 cm diam., Calyx cup shaped, 5-8 mm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 4 mm
long, triangular or deltoids, prickles with
49
Fig. 17. Solanum melongena L. var. insanum (L.) Prain: A. Plant twigs, B. Flower, C. & D. Fruits

AD

BC
50
densely stellate hairs, fruiting time enlarged with persistent. Corolla 1-2 cm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 15
mm long, ovate-lanceolate, the base at truncate, apex at obtuse to acute, glabrous, abaxial side scattered
stellate hairs. Stamens 5, 6-7 mm long; filaments 1-1.5 mm long, glabrous; anther 5 mm long, lanceolate,
yellow, basifixed with apical pores dehiscent. Ovary globose, 2 mm long, glabrous with apex finger and
stellate hairs; style slender, 8-9 mm long, base to middle densely stellate hairs; stigma capitate, green.
Berries 2.5-3 cm diam., globose, yellow. Seeds discoid, 2 mm diam., pale brownish yellow, cancave.
Flowering and Fruiting: June - December
Distribution in the World: Asia from the Philippines to Southeast Asia, India and Madagascar
Distribution in India: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka and Maharastra
Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi, Jungarh range, Govthala Medicinal gardens, 28.06.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18017 (RPRC), N19 ̊55’744’’ E083 0
̊ 0’356’’ and ±214 MSL; Gajapati Dist.: Gumma Forest,
Sukaia, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18050 (RPRC), N18 ̊56’977’’ E084 0 ̊ 0’683’’ and Alt. ±358
MSL; Gumma Forest, K.Ch.Pur, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18051 (RPRC), N18 ̊57’281’’ E084
̊01’370’’ and Alt. ±376 MSL; Paralakhemundi, Ranipentha, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18053
(RPRC), N18 ̊57’281’’ E084 0 ̊ 1’370’’ and Alt. ±68 MSL; Mahendragiri hills, Jeerango, 20.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18059 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 7’626’’ E084 ̊13’455’’ and Alt. ±421 MSL; Singipur,
21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18072 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 9’170’’ E084 ̊01’979’’ and Alt. ±77 MSL;
K.Sitapur, 21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18075 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 8’792’’ E083 ̊59’372’’ and Alt. ±55
MSL; Ganjam Dist.: Sorada, Kantaiswari foot hills, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10505 (RPRC),
N19 ̊45’261’’ E084 2̊ 6’078’’ and Alt. ±102 MSL; Hinjilicut, 23.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10505
(RPRC), N19 ̊28’643’’ E084 4 ̊ 4’771’’ and Alt. ±48 MSL; Koraput Dist.: Russel, Petrol bank road side,
16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10523 (RPRC), N18 ̊48’973’’ E082 4 ̊ 1’676’’ and Alt. ±922 MSL;
Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10558 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 9’565’’ E083 ̊07’415’’ and ±935
MSL; Mayurbhanj Dist.: Similipal, 23.04.1972, H.O.Saxena, 410 (RRL); Dongadiha, 23.10.1983,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 5326 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Rambha, 08.04.1977, H.O.Saxena, M.Brahmam
& P.S.Panigrahi, 2501 (RRL); Koraput Dist.: Dongapai, 26.04.1991, M.Brahmam & N.C.Rout, 6912
(RRL); Khurda Dist.: Chilka, Nuapada, 22.10.1991, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 7101 (RRL);; Cuttack,
Dist.: Paradeep, 12.10.1988, R.C.Misra & D.K.Rout, 2509 (RPRC); Paradeep, 09.03.1991, S.C.Jena,
3422 (RPRC); Tamil Nadu, Dindigul Dist.: Sattiar MAEP areas Sirumalai, 19.06.1986, K.Ramamurthy,
83835 (MH), Alt. ±600 MSL; South Arcot Dist.: Cherapadi, 09.02.1983, K. Ramamurthy, 77438 (MH), Alt.
±700 MSL.
51
Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam. Tahl. encycl. 2: 25 (1794).; Prain in J. Asiat. Soc. Bengal 65:542. 1896;
Prain, Beng. Pl. 746. 1903; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 930. 1923; Kanjilal & Das, in For. Fl. Assam 3:371.
1939; Fyson, South Indian Hill St. 3:t.436. 1950; Matthew, Exot. Fl. Kodaikanal 162. 1969; Sahni &
Naithani, in Acta Botanica India 2:151. 1976; Naik, Fl. Osmanabad 226. 1979; Deb, J. Eco. Tax. Bot.
1:51. 1980; Singh, in Ind. J. For. 9(1):78. 1986; Chithra, in Henry et al., Fl. Tamil Nadu 2:117. 1987; Zhi Y.
Zhang et al., in C.Y. Wu & Raven, Fl. China 17:324. 1994; Singh et al., Fl. Maharashtra state
(Dicotyledons) II: 505. 2001; Yadav & Meena, in J. Econ. Tax. Bot. 32(3):750. 2008; Negi, et al., in Fl.
Divers. Shiwalik Hill Haryana 119. 2010; Sharma & Naithani, in Indian Forester, 138(6):569. 2012; Panda
et al., in J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 36(3):644. 2012; Sampath Kumara, et al., in J. Econ. Taxon. Bot. 36(3):651.
2012; Krishna Kumar et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas and Grassland of the Nilgiris 442. 2013; Saha,
and Datta, Pleione 7(2): 581. 2013; Panda, et al., J. Bombay Nat. Hist. Soc., 111(2):147. 2014; Naik and
Rao, Biosci. Disco. 7(1):33. 2016.-Type: Argentina, Buenos Aires, Commerson s.n. (holotype P-LA, fide
Morton, l.c.). Fig. 18.
Solanum balbisii Dunal – Sims, Bot. Mag. 52: t. 2568. 1825; Dassanayake & Fosberg, Rev. Handb. Fl.
Ceylon VI: 387. 1987 Perennial or annual, under-shrubs to 1.5 m high; stem viscid, two kinds of prickles 5
20 mm long, yellow or reddish, acicular (needle like) and recurved (flattened at base); young parts with
glandular single or multicelluar linear and stellate hairs. Leaves simple, alternate or sub-opposite, 10-15 x
8-12cm, oblong or ovate-lanceolate, pinnately and 7-13 lobes on well developed leaves, apex at acute,
both side prickly, stellate and multicellular galandular hairs; petiole 3-5cm long, flat. Inflorescences
simple, raceme or sometimes two branches, bearing to 6-10 flowers; peduncle 8-15 cm long, prickly,
glandular hairs; pedicel 1-2 cm long. Flowers white, stellate hairs, 5 cm diam. Calyx pale green, deeply 5
lobed; tube 2-3 mm long very short; each lobes 8-10 mm long, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base obtuse;
two kinds of trichome, finger and stellate glandular hairs. Corolla white, after mature to change pale violet,
5 cm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 8-10 mm long, with scattered stellate hairs on the abaxial side and
especially along centre veins, glabrous inside. Stamens 5, epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals;
filaments ca. 1.5-2 mm long, glabrous; anthers 10 mm long, bright yellow, linear or slightly tapered,
lanceolate, basifixed, apical pore dehiscent. Ovary globose, 2 mm diam., glabrous, scattered without
head glandular hairs at the apex; style 10-12 mm long, glabrous, few glandular hairs; stigma bifid, green.
Berries globose, less than 1.5 cm diam., pale yellow to orange and finally bright red, shiny, calyx
enlarged, partially covering fruit. Seeds orbicular, concave 2 mm diam., pale brown, pitted and
compressed. Flowering and Fruiting: June - DecemberDistribution in the World: A native of South
America, the species has been introduced all over the tropical and subtropical country. Distribution in
India: Weed and naturalized in Odisha, South Andaman, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar,
Kerala, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Manipur, Punjab, Sikkim, Tripura Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
Chromosomes: 2n=24 (Federov, 1969).
52
Fig. 18. Solanum sisymbriifolium Lam.: A. Habit, B. Stem, C. Inflorescence, D. & E. Adaxial & Abaxial view of flower, F. Stamen, G. Fruit

AB C D
EFG
53
Specimens examined:
INDIA, ODISHA, Kalahandi district, Malgon, 26.06.2015, Murugan and Kalidass 18005 (RPRC), N19
̊55’104’’ E83 ̊07’138’’ and Alt. ±245 MSL; Kandhamal district, Ramaguda, 16.07.2015, Murugan and
Kalidass 18038 (RPRC), N20 ̊03’362’’ E84 ̊12’718’’ and Alt. ±680 MSL; Ganjam district, Chatrapur,
22.08.2015, Murugan and Kalidass 18088 (RPRC), N19 2 ̊ 1’359’’ E84 5
̊ 9’565’ and Alt. ±31 MSL.
Solanum torvum Sw. Prodr. 47. 1788; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Briti. Ind. 4:234. 1883; Prain, Beng. Pl. 746.
1903; Bitt in Bot. Jahrb. 57: 252. 1921; Gamble, Fl. Pres. Madras 937. 1923; Haines, Bot. Bihr. Or. 612.
1922; Kanj. et al. Fl. Assam 3:363. 1939; Yamazaki in Hara, Fl. E. Himal. 284. 1966; Deb, J. Eco. Tax.
Bot. 1:51. 1980; Matthew, Fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic 2:1064. 1983; Rao, et al., Fl. West Godavari Dist. A.P.,
India 297. 1986; Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1218. 1995; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah &
Moulali, Fl. Andhra Prad. 2: 654. 1997; Pallithanam, in Matthew, A Pocket Fl. Sirumalai Hills, South India
175. 2001; Daniel, & Umahaheswari, Fl. Gulf of Mannar 306. 2001; Subbarao, & Kumari, in Rao, Fl.
Visakhapatnam Dist. A.P. India 581. 2003; Madhava Chetty, et al., Flowering Plants of Chittoor Dist.
232.2008; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:300. 2011; Franklin Benjamin & Murthy,
Fl. Srivenkateswara National Park 264.2013; Krishna Kumar et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas and
Grassland of the Nilgiris: 443. 2013.-Type: “India Occidentalis” 0. Swartz (S) - see Heine (1976, pp 167-
168) for a discussion of the legitimacy of the name and its typification. Fig. 19
S. stramoniifolium Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1:572. 1832, non Jacq. S. indicum L. Sp. Pl. 187. 1753, p.p. S. inclusum
Stahl, Eat. 6:133. 1888. S. mannii C.H. Wright in Kew Bull. 4:129. 1894 (Type: West Africa Fernando Po,
Mann not seen).
Vernacular Name: Odia: Bhuta bhajaria; Telugu: Bongeredu, Chitra kaya chettu, Konda vusti; Tamil:
Sundaikai.
Perennial shrub to small tree, 1.5-3 m height; branches terete, tomentose with yellowish brown, rarely
reddish brown, stipitate stellate and or sessile-stellate hairs; usually armed with few straight or recerved
compressed prickles which are usually pubescent basally, up to 7mm long. Leaves solitary or sometimes
in pairs, similar in shape, different in size, broadly ovate to oblong or elliptic, 8-25×6-18cm long, blade,
ovate or oblong, sinuate or coarsely lobed, base apex at acute or acuminate, base mostly unequal,
obtuse to subcordate, margins subentire to deeply lobed, with 2-4 pairs of lobes, upper surface scabrid
with dispersed stipitate-stellate or sessile- stellate hairs, lower surface densely, softly tomentose with
mostly stipitate-stellate hairs, veins rarely armed; petioles 1-10 cm long, softly stellate-hairy.
Inflorescences extra-axillary, corymbose cymes, several 10 - 30 flowered, lateral distal flowers with short
styles, functionally male, inflorescence axes with simple glandular hairs;
54
peduncles 1-3 cm long, usually one branched less than 6cm from base, tomentose, hairs sessile-stellate
and shortly stipitate-stellate; pedicels 8mm long, green, drying dark hispid-viscid with mostly glandular
simple and sessile-stellate hairs, elongating up to 2cm and thickening in fruit, then sometimes recurved.
Flowers white, stellate- tomentose, 4cm diam. Calyx cup-shaped, 4–7 mm diam., hispid-viscid with mostly
glandular simple and sessile stellate hairs, glabrous within, 5-lobed; each lobes 1-2.5 mm long, initially,
linear or subulate, calyx splitting with age, then lobes 6 mm long, laceolate to ovate-lanceolate, apex
mucronate, sinuses glabrous. Corolla cream white, rotate, 2 cm diam., sessile-stellate pubescent outside,
glabrous within, 5-lobed; each lobes, 1-1.2 cm long, lanceolate, apex acuminate, base obtuse centre pale
yellow, apex densely stellate hairs and margin ciliate to wavy. Stamens 5, 7-8 mm long, epipetalous,
adnate to the base of petals; anther lanceolate, 6-7 mm long, yellow, basifixed, apical pore dehiscent;
filsments 1mm long. Ovary, ovoid, less than 1.5 mm long, apex few single glandular hairs, glabrous; style
10-12 mm long, linear; stigma capitate, green. Berries less than 2 cm diam., pale green, when mature
time turning yellow and drying times brown to blackish. Seeds orbicular, concave 2 mm diam., pale
brown, compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout years Distribution in the World: Native to Meso-America, which is now
widely distributed in the tropics. Distribution in India: Throughout the states Chromosomes: 2n=24
(Federov, 1969) but Randell and Symon (1976) reported n=24. Uses: The plant is used in the treatment
of cough; it’s a sedative, diuretic and digestive. Root is used full in poulticing cracks in the fest. The fumes
of burning seeds are inhaled for tooth-ache (Thammanna, & Rao, 1990). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi Dist.: Karalapat range, Jakkam Medicinal gardens, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18013 (RPRC), N19 ̊44’630’’ E083 0 ̊ 6’447’’ and ±447 MSL; Jungarh range, Govthala
Medicinal gardens, 28.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18016 (RPRC), N19 ̊55’744’’ E083 0 ̊ 0’356’’ and
±214 MSL; Kandhamal Dist.: G.Udayagiri, foot hills, 14.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18019
(RPRC), N20 ̊07’204’’ E084 2 ̊ 2’187’’ ±659 MSL and ; Raikia range, Ramaguda, 16.07.2015, C. Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18037 (RPRC), N20 ̊03’384’’ E084 1 ̊ 2’955’’ and ±683 MSL; Raikia range, Ramaguda,
16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18040 (RPRC), N20 0 ̊ 3’185’’ E084 ̊12’506’’ and ±658MSL; Ganjam
Dist.: Taptapani hills, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18086 (RPRC), N19 ̊29’126’’ E084 2 ̊ 3’660’’
and ±439MSL; Sorada, Kantaiswari foot hills, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10509 (RPRC), N19
̊45’261’’ E084 2̊ 6’078’’ and ±102MSL; Aska, Gobara, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10513
(RPRC), N19 ̊49’734’’ E084 3 ̊ 5’857’’ and ±70MSL; Aska, Sadangipalli, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10514 (RPRC), N19 ̊50’954’’ E084 3 ̊ 5’587’’ and ±90MSL; Aska, Kalasandapur, 23.11.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10522 (RPRC), N19 ̊36’234’’
55
E084 ̊39’762’’ and ±40MSL; Koraput Dist.: Deva Ghati hills, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10527
(RPRC), N18 ̊49’789’’ E082 3 ̊ 7’120’’ and ±853MSL; Jeypore, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
10532 (RPRC), N18 ̊51’738’’ E082 3 ̊ 4’73’’ and ±609 MSL; Buluguda road, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10535 (RPRC), N18 ̊52’734’’ E082 3 ̊ 3’724’’ and ±601MSL; Sunabeda, 17.12.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10538 (RPRC), N18 ̊44’960’’ E082 4 ̊ 9’486’’ and ±920 MSL; Semiliguda,
17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10540 (RPRC), N18 ̊42’347’’ E082 5 ̊ 5’140’’ and ±916 MSL;
Damanjodi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10544 (RPRC), N18 ̊45’276’’ E082 ̊55’140’’ and ±933
MSL; Allabadi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10548 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 6’173’’ E082 ̊56’232’’ and
±935 MSL; Podagada, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10549 (RPRC), N18 ̊51’683’’ E082 5 ̊ 1’743’’
and Alt. ±915 MSL; Kakirigumma, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10552 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 5’510’’
E083 ̊00’608’’ and ±908 MSL; Doliamba, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10552 (RPRC), N18
̊58’236’’ E083 0
̊ 4’239’’ and ±1015 MSL; Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10561 (RPRC),
N18 ̊59’565’’ E083 ̊07’415’’ and ±935 MSL; Ambaguda, 19.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10563
(RPRC), N18 ̊57’065’’ E082 3 ̊ 3’494’’ and ±593 MSL; Borigumma, 19.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
10565 (RPRC), N19 0 ̊ 2’893’’ E082 ̊33’215’’ and ±604 MSL; Kandhamal Dist.: Darimgbari, 28.09.1970,
Yoganarsimham, 089 (RRL); Koraput Dist.: Machkund, 26.11.1970, Yoganarsimham, 091 (RRL);
Rayagada to Koraput, 21.06.1989, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 6512(RRL); Dudhari, 23.06.1989,
H.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 6566 (RRL); Barakutni, 24.06.1989, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 6600(RRL);
Maliput, near Pattangi, 26.06.1989, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 6649 (RRL); Dongapai, 26.04.1991,
M.Brahmam & N.C.Rout, 6925 (RRL); Way to Bissam Cuttack from J.K.Pur, 28.04.1991, M.Brahmam &
N.C.Rout, 6995 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Agricultural farm chanoliput, 06.11.1973, H.Saxena, 1432 (RRL)
Parlakimedi, 04.01.1978, M.Brahmam, 2990 (RRL); Buguda, 13.08.1997, M.Brahmam, 2705 (RRL);
Mayurbhanj Dist.: Badomukkabari, 10.06.1982, H.Saxena, M.Brahmam & Prabhakar Rao, 4593 (RRL);
Badomukkabari, 10.06.1982, H.Saxena, M.Brahmam & Prabhakar Rao, 4638 (RRL); Gurguria,
12.06.1982, H.O.Saxena, M.Brahmam & Prabhakar Rao, 4712 (RRL); Gurguria, 19.10.1983, H.Saxena &
M.Brahmam, 5213 (RRL); Kalahandi Dist.: Lanjigarh, 24.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7353 (RRL);
Lanjigarh, 24.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7369 (RRL); Malkangiri Dist.: Govindpally, 22.11.2007,
M.Brahmam, S.Biswas & D.K.Sahu, 10340 (RRL); Khurda Dist.: Bhubaneswar, 03.03.1987, R.C.Misra,
1020 (RPRC); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Gurguria, 05.12.1999, S.C.Jena, 5945 (RPRC); Keonjhar Dist.:
Sanghagra, 01.11.1995, S.C.Jena, 5351 (RPRC); Rayagada Dist.: Gumma R.F, 18.01.1997, S.C.Jena,
5442 (RPRC); Kandhamal Dist.: Mayuribirha, 13.07.2006, S.C.Jena, 7482 (RPRC); Mayuribirha,
13.07.2006, S.C.Jena, 7910 (RPRC); Tamil Nadu, Dindigul Dist.: Kaduguthadi, Thandikudi hills,
03.12.1989, K. Ravikumar, 92316 (MH); Kodavannar MHEP areas Kodaikanal hills, 17.06.1986, K.
Ramurthy, 83823 (MH); Ramanathapuram Dist.: Deviar Estate to Nadu thottam, Sethur hills, 07.03.1981,
S.R. Srinivasan, 6825 (MH); South Arcot Dist.: Gomuki Dam area, 07.09.1977, K. Ramamurthy, 50678
(MH), Alt. ±300 MSL; Kiz-vilamachi, on the way to kuntathur, 16.07.1958, K.
56
Fig. 19. Solanum torvum Sw.: A. Habit, B. Leaf, C. Inflorescence, D. Flower, E. Fruit, F. Seeds, G. Spiny with stem

A BCD

E
FG
57
Subramanyam, 6113 (MH), Alt. ±733 MSL; Pudukottai Dist.: Kudumiyamalai, 04.07.1985, C. Arulappan,
434 (MH); Salem Dist.: River bank, 11.07.1964, E. Vajravelu, 20519 (MH); Nilgiri Dist.: Way to nagariyar
estate seithur hills, 27.07.1989, S.R. Srinivasan, 9240 (MH); Benne R.F., 10.04.1972, K. Viekannathan,
40773 (MH); Parali forest, 29.06.1974, E. Vajravelu, 4530 (MH); Cherambadi Erumadu, 27.07.1972, E.
Vajravelu, 41840 (MH); Shola near Mantharai, 26.11.1970, E. Vajravelu, 37090 (MH); Uppatti-Mango,
27.02.1973, E. Vajravelu, 43750 (MH); Tirunelveli Dist.: Inchikuzhi, 25.05.1963, A.N. Henry, 16271 (MH);
way to kodlamalai estate – Kannikatti, 11.07.1959, K.M. Sebastine, 8487 (MH); Near thirumalai koil,
courtallum hills, 27.04.1957, K. Subramanyan, 2976 (MH); Kakachi, 12.10.1957, K.M. Sebastine, 4427
(MH); Courtallum hills, 29.09.1946, J. Gopaul Rao, 93064 (MH); Tirchirapally Dist.: near uppiliyapuram,
01.08.1958, K.M. Sebastine, 6216 (MH); Andhra Pradesh, East Godavari Dist.: Tiger camp to valamurn,
18.08.1995, M. Mohanan, 105048 (MH), Alt. ±1200 MSL; Chittoor Dist.: Kalyani dam, 08.03.1988, D.
Ranga Charyulu, 2015 (MH); Srikakulam Dist.: Near a stream near sunki from salur, 24.05.1979, G.V.
Subbarao, 62497 (MH), Alt. ±650 MSL; Hyderabad Dist.: Katasintha, 28.06.1958, K.M. Sebastine, 6001
(MH), Alt. ±850 MSL; Vishakapatanam Dist.: West side I Bangalow-Anantagiri, 11.05.1964, G.V.
Subbarao, 19459 (MH), Alt. ±910 MSL; Minumuluru, 03.09.1966, G.V. Subbarao, 28255 (MH), Alt. ±1000
MSL; Anantagiri, 27.12.1962, G.V. Subbarao, 32841 (MH), Alt. ±750 MSL; On way to Donkarayi,
23.10.1972, G.V. Subbarao, 42693 (MH), Alt. ±400 MSL; Thadiguda, 08.08.1973, G.V. Subbarao, 44253
(MH), Alt. ±1000 MSL; Way to Laxmipuram, 28.03.1989, N. Rama Rao, 83800 (MH).
Solanum trilobatum L. Verh. Batav. Genootsch. Kunsten 5: 1 Art. 4: 26. 1790 (Type: Sri Lanka, herb.
Linn. 248. 44! LINN); Roxb. Fl. Ind. 1:571. 1832; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:236. 1883; Prain, Beng.
Pl. 2:746. 1903; Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bomb. 2:267. 1905; Haines, Bot. Bih. Or. 613. 1922; Deb, J. Eco. Tax.
Bot. 1:51. 1980; Matthew, Fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic 2:1065. 1983; Rao, et al., Fl. West Godavari Dist. A.P.,
India 298. 1986; Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1219. 1995; Lakshminarayana, et al., Fl. Krishna Dist.
A.P., India 215. 1997; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah & Moulali, Fl. Andhra Prad. 2: 655. 1997;
Suryanarayana, et al., Fl. Sriharikota Island, Nellore Dist. A.P. 119. 1998; Daniel, & Umahaheswari, Fl.
Gulf of Mannar 305. 2001; Banerjee, & Rao, Fl. Mahanadi Delta, Orissa 218. 2001; Suryanarayana &
Sreenivasa Rao, Fl. Nellore Dist. Andhra Pradesh 383. 2002; Madhava Chetty, et al., Flowering Plants of
Chittoor Dist. 232.2008; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:303. 2011.Fig. 20.
S. acetosaefolinum Lamk. Encycl. 4:306. 1797. S. canaranum Miq. Pl. Hohenace. n. 740. Vernacular
Name: Odia: Nab-hiankuri; Tel.: Tellaaliste, Mundeamuste, Tella vuste; Tam.: Tuduvalai, Nittidam.
Perennial or annual, climbing bushy shrubs, up to 100 cm heigh; branches terete, greenish with recurved
prickles base flat, less than 6mm long, glabrous and much branched. Leaves simple, alternate or sub-
opposite, 1.5-5 × 1.3-4 cm long, blade, ovate, obtuse at base, apex at acute to acuminate, more or less
deltoid or triangular, irregularly lobed or sinuate,
58
margin entire to sometimes lobed, hastate (tri lobed) or five lobed, with scattered stellate hairs, a few
prickly on the midrib; petiole 1-3.5cm long, terete, prickly. Inflorescences extra-axillary, solitary or in few-
flowered, cymes; peduncle 3-5 cm long, glabrous; pedicels 1.5 cm long. Flowers 2-2.5 cm, across, Calyx
green, 5 mm diam., 5-lobed; each lobes 1.5 – 2.5 mm long, triangular or deltoid, globrous with stellate
hairs and persistent. Corolla blue, 2.5 cm diam., 5-lobed; each lobes 1.5 cm long, ovate to lanceolate,
base at obtuse, apex at obtuse, upper surface stellate hairs, apex mucronate, margin ciliate or wavy.
Stamens 5, 8 mm long, epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals; filaments 1.5 mm long; anther 6-7 mm
long, lanceolate, yellow, basifixed, apical pores dehiscent. Ovary globose or ovoid, 1.5 mm long,
glabrous; style 14-16 mm long, slender, glabrous; stigma capitate, green. Berries globose, 8-12 mm
diam., bright red, shiny. Seeds orbicular, 3.5 mm long, pale brownish yellow, rolling compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: April-September. Distribution in the World: Deccan Peninsula, Sri Lanka and
Java. Distribution of India: Odisha, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, Rajasthan and West Bengal.
Uses: The bitter roots are used for consumption in the form of an electuary, decoction or powder. The
berries and flowers are administered for treatment of cough. The decoction of various parts of the plant is
used in chronic bronchitis (Thammanna, & Rao, 1990). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Puri Dist.: Chandra vaga, Sea shore, 02.10.2015, Kalidass & Murugan 18089 (RPRC),
N19 ̊53’538’’ E084 ̊08’372’’ and Alt. ±12 MSL; Dist.?: Kajang, 17.04.1973, H.O.Saxena, 1006 (RRL);
Bhadrak Dist.: On the way to Chandbali, 10.03.1975, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 1698 (RRL); Ganjam
Dist.: Ganjam, 09.07.1977, M.Brahmam, 2677 (RRL); Khurda Dist.: Chilika, Nuapada, 22.10.1991,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 7128 (RRL); Kendrapara Dist.: Bhitarakanika, Ekakula, 26.10.1993,
N.C.Rout, 8229 (RRL); Tamil Nadu, South Arcot Dist.: Near Kuringipadi, 12.02.1979, K. Ramamurthy,
60121 (MH); Melkondai R.F., 21.02.1979, K. Ramamurthy, 60369 (MH), Alt. ±60 MSL; Sonanchavadi,
19.09.1979, K. Ramamurthy, 64171 (MH), Alt. ±10 MSL; Pakamalai R.F. Gingee hills, 21.01.1978, K.
Ramamurthy, 52899 (MH), Alt. ±175 MSL; Tirukoilur to Tiruvennainallur, 12.09.1977, K. Ramamurthy,
51175 (MH), Alt. ±150 MSL; Palur, 23.08.1930, V. Narayannasamy, 4131 (MH); Palur, 28.08.1905, C.A.
Barber, 843 (MH); Cuddalore Dist.: on the way to Pichavaram, 30.01.1958, K.M. Sebastine, 5181 (MH),
Alt. Sea level; Madurai Dist.: way to Karanthamalai, 15.02.1958, K. Subramanyam, 5309 (MH), Alt. ±200
MSL; Salem Dist.: Pennagaram, 28.07.1964, E. Vajravelu, 20767 (MH), Alt. ±500 MSL; Andhra Pradesh,
Godavari Dist.: Devepatnan Godavari river, 27.11.1902, C.A. Barber, 4909 (MH); West Godavari Dist.:
Road to kolleru lake, 24.01.1958, K. Subramanyam, 5113 (MH); East Godavari Dist.: Coringa near
machilipatnam, 11.09.1988, K. Ramamurthy, 88834 (MH), Alt. ±10 MSL; Krishna Dist.: Sitarampuram,
11.03.1985, P. Venkanna, 5562 (MH).

59 AB C
Fig. 20. Solanum trilobatum L.: A. Plant twig, B. Flower, C. Fruits.
60
Solanum viarum Dunal Prodr. 13(1): 240. 1852; Matthew, Fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic 2:1065. 1983;
Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1220. 1995; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats. 4:305.
2011.- Type: Brazil, Lund 799 (G-DC, IDC microf! 2080:I.1). Fig. 21.
Solanuum khasianum C.B.Clarke in Hook.f. FBI 4:234. 1883.Soalanum khasianum C.B.Clarke var.
chatterjeeanum Sen Gupta in Bull. Bot. Surv. India 3:413. 1961.- Type: isotype, TAMIL NADU, Nilgiri
Dist.: Devar Shola, 17.07.1960, K. Subramanyam, 10413 D (MH), Alt. ±1075 MSL. Solanum chloranthum
DC. Pl. Rar. Jard. Genève t. 13. 1826. Solanum viridiflorum Ruiz & Pav. Fl. Peruv. 2: 38, t. 173, f. b.
1799. Vernacular Name: Odia: Bheji baigan
Annual or perennial, under shrubs, 1-1.5 m high; branchlets, terete, densely minutely with single or multi
cellular glandular hairs and evenly pubescent with, simple hairs, up to 1 mm long, with two type prickles,
acicular and recurved prickles 2-5 mm long and acicular or needle like prickly 5-10 mm. Leaves solitary or
in pairs, membranous, blades broadly ovate to ovate-triangular, base subcordate, 5-15 × 5-13 cm long,
sinuate-lobed, lobes 4-6, base at subobtuse, apex at subacute to acuminate, lower surface also with 4 or
5 rayed stellate hairs, rays nearly always in one plane, one ray longer than rest, up to 0.5 mm long; armed
on midrib and minor veins with straight, acicular, laterally compressed, broad-based, whitish to yellowish
prickles up to 2 cm long; petioles 3-8 cm long, armed with similar prickles. Inflorescences axillary, 4 or 5
flowered; peduncles stout, 1.5-2 cm long, peduncle obsolete or short. Flowers andromonoecious, only
basal ones fertile; pedicel 5–10 mm long. Calyx campanulate, ca. 5-7 mm, long, green, 5 lobed; each
lobes 0.6–1.2 mm long, oblong, deltoids, glandular hairs with prickles. Corolla cream white, 1.5-2 cm
diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 1-1.5 cm long, lanceolate, recurved, apex acute to mucronate, outer surface
pubescent with glandular and eglandular and hairs. Stamens 5, 7-9 mm long, epipetalous, adnate to the
base of petals; filaments 1–1.5 mm long, glabrous; anther 6-7 mm long, lanceolate, pale whitish yellow,
basifixed, apically pores dehiscent. Ovary globose, 1-2 mm diam., globrous with densely and minutely
puberulent hairsa ca. 2 mm long; style globrous, slender, erect, 7-8 mm long; stigma capitate, green.
Berries globose, 1.5-3 cm diam., when mature, minutely puberulent when young, later smooth and
glabrous, immature fruit pale and dark green with white mottling, yellow at maturity with leathery skin
surrounding thin-layered, pale green, mucilaginous scented pulp. Seeds suborbicular, 2 mm diam.,
concave, compressed, brown. Flowering and Fruiting: June – December
Distribution in the World: Native of South America, the species has been introduced all over the tropical
and subtropical country.
Distribution in India: Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh,
Himalaya, Meghalaya and Assam. Uses: Smoke of burnt fruits/seeds sucked through a pipe retained in
the mouth for some time to expel teeth worms from the mouth (Lalramnghinglova, & Jha, 1999).
61
Notes: Babu and Hepper (1979) have shown that S. viarum is the correct name for the taxon previously
known as S.khasianum in C. B. Clarke var. chatterjeanun. Sen Gupta.
Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi Dist.: Bawanipatna, Purunapada, 25.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18003
(RPRC), N19 ̊54’185’’ E083 0 ̊ 9’250’’ and Alt. ±269 MSL; Kandhamal Dist.: G.Udayagiri foot hills,
14.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18018 (RPRC), N20 ̊07’204’’ E084 2 ̊ 2’187’’ and Alt. ±659 MSL;
G.Udayagiri range, Gressingia, 14.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18022 (RPRC), N20 0 ̊ 8’308’’ E084
̊20’754’’ and Alt. ±658 MSL; G.Udayagiri range, Paburia, 14.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18023
(RPRC), N20 ̊09’308’’ E084 1 ̊ 5’339’’ and Alt. ±681 MSL; G.Udayagiri range, Alarsahi, 14.07.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18026 (RPRC), N20 ̊13’812’’ E084 2 ̊ 0’259’’ and Alt. ±589 MSL; G.Udayagiri
range, Kalinga Ghat, 15.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18028 (RPRC), N20 ̊09’867’’ E084 2 ̊ 4’870’’
and Alt. ±737 MSL; G.Udayagiri range, Kalinga foot hills, 15.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18032
(RPRC), N20 ̊09’462’’ E084 2
̊ 5’170’’ and ±732 MSL; G.Udayagiri range, Dungi, 15.07.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18034 (RPRC), N20 ̊14’181’’ E084 2 ̊ 1’881’’ and Alt. ±623MSL; Raikia range, Raikia,
16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18036 (RPRC), N20 ̊03’187’’ E084 1 ̊ 2’338’’ and Alt. ±732 MSL;
Raikia range, Ramaguda, 16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18041 (RPRC), N20 ̊03’185’’ E084
̊12’506’’ and Alt. ±658 MSL; Raikia range, Pisarama, 16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18043
(RPRC), N20 ̊04’400’’ E084 1 ̊ 3’998’’ and Alt. ±710 MSL; Ganjam Dist.: Sikulipadara, 18.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18046 (RPRC), N19 2 ̊ 4’086’’ E084 ̊20’372’’ and Alt. ±594 MSL; Chandragiri,
near Central Tibetan School, 18.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18048 (RPRC), N19 ̊16’912’’ E084
̊16’745’’ and ±630 MSL; Sorada, Kantaiswari foot hills, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10506
(RPRC), N19 ̊45’261’’ E084 2 ̊ 6’078’’ and Alt. ±102 MSL; Gajapati Dist.: Mahendragiri hills, Jeerango,
20.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18060 (RPRC), N18 ̊57’626’’ E084 1 ̊ 3’455’’ and Alt. ±421 MSL;
Mahendragiri hills, Khuphasahi, 20.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18061 (RPRC), N18 ̊57’555’’ E084
̊14’655’’ and Alt. ±455 MSL; Mahendragiri hills, Koinpur, 20.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18062
(RPRC), N18 ̊57’360’’ E084 1 ̊ 8’260’’and Alt. ±650 MSL; Mahendragiri hills, Maduva, 20.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18065 (RPRC), N18 ̊57’760’’ E084 2 ̊ 0’914’’ and Alt. ±797 MSL; R.Udayagiri
hills, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18078 (RPRC), N19 0 ̊ 8’777’’ E084 ̊08’172’’ and ±590 MSL;
Chandiput forest, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18083 (RPRC), N19 2 ̊ 2’294’’ E084 ̊17’842’’ and
Alt. ±593 MSL; Koraput Dist.: Russel, Petrol bank road side, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10524
(RPRC), N18 ̊48’973’’ E082 4 ̊ 1’676’’ and Alt. ±922 MSL; Ghumar Ghati hills, 16.12.2015, C. Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10528 (RPRC), N18 ̊50’714’’ E082 3 ̊ 6’496’’ and ±725 MSL; Jeypore, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass
& P.Murugan, 10531 (RPRC), N18 ̊51’738’’ E082 3 ̊ 4’73’’ and ±609 MSL; Buluguda road, 16.12.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10533 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 2’734’’ E082 ̊33’724’’ and Alt. ±601MSL; Sunabeda,
17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10539 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 4’960’’ E082 ̊49’486’’ and ±920

B 62 ACD E

FGH
Fig. 21. Solanum viarum Dunal.: A. Habit, B. Leaf, C. Inflorescence, D. Flower, E. Pistil, F. G. H. Fruit
63
MSL; Semiliguda, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10541 (RPRC), N18 ̊42’347’’ E082 5 ̊ 5’140’’ and
Alt. ±916 MSL; Damanjodi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10545 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 5’276’’ E082
̊55’140’’ and Alt. ±933 MSL; Allabadi, 17.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10547 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 6’173’’
E082 ̊56’232’’ and ±935 MSL; Podagada, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10550 (RPRC), N18
̊51’683’’ E082 5 ̊ 1’743’’ and Alt. ±915 MSL; Kakirigumma, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10553
(RPRC), N18 ̊55’510’’ E083 0 ̊ 0’608’’ and ±908 MSL; Doliamba, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
10556 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 8’236’’ E083 ̊04’239’’ and ±1015 MSL; Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10560 (RPRC), N18 ̊59’565’’ E083 0 ̊ 7’415’’ and ±935 MSL; Ambaguda, 19.12.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10564 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 7’065’’ E082 ̊33’494’’ and ±593 MSL; Borigumma,
19.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10566 (RPRC), N19 ̊02’893’’ E082 3 ̊ 3’215’’ and ±604 MSL;
Soshahandi, 19.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10567 (RPRC), N19 ̊06’612’’ E082 2 ̊ 8’313’’ and Alt.
±516 MSL; Kotpad, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10572 (RPRC), N19 ̊08’103’’ E082 1 ̊ 8’401’’ and
±566 MSL; Kandhamal Dist.: Phulbani waste land, 28.09.1970, H.O.Saxena, 089 (RRL); Khurda Dist.:
Bhubaneswar, 10.02.1972, H.O.Saxena, 629 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Paniganda, 28.10.1975, H.O.Saxena
& M.Brahmam, 1940 (RRL); Ganjam, 08.07.1977, M.Brahmam 2547 (RRL); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Bakua,
22.04.1972, H.O.Saxena, 419 (RRL); Similipal, 27.04.1972, H.O.Saxena, 527 (RRL); upper Bara kawada,
15.11.1980, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 4177 (RRL); Dudruchampa to Barakhamada way, 04.05.1981,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 4318 (RRL); Koraput Dist.: Damanjodi, 23.06.1989, H.O.Saxena &
M.Brahmam, 6578 (RRL); Kalahandi Dist.: Tumudibandh, 23.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7329
(RRL); Malkangiri Dist.: Undragonda, 12.01.2008, D.K.Sahu & S.Biswas, 10632 (RRL; Mayurbhanj Dist.:
Gurguria, 05.12.1999, S.C.Jena, 5949 (RPRC); Tamil Nadu, Salem Dist.: Lake Shevaroys, 02.01.1965,
A.V.N. Rao, 23058 (MH), Alt. ±1260 MSL; Convent road – Yercaud, 02.05.1965, S. Karthikeyan, 26801
(MH).
Solanum violaceum Ortega Nov. Pl. Descr. Dec. 56. 1798; Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1220.
1995; Pallithanam, in Matthew, A Pocket Fl. Sirumalai Hills, South India 175. 2001; Franklin Benjamin &
Murthy, Fl. Srivenkateswara National Park 264.2013. Fig. 22.
Solanum chinense Dunal Hist. Nat. Solanum 240. 1813: Solanum indicum var. recurvatum C.Y. Wu &
S.C. Huang Acta Phytotax. Sin. 16(2): 73. 1978: Solanum nivalomontanum C.Y. Wu & S.C. Huang Acta
Phytotax. Sin. 16(2): 74–75, pl. 1, f. 1–2. 1978. Vernacular Name: Denga Bheji (Odia). Perennial or
annual, under shrubs or shrubs, 0.6-1.8m high; branchlets terete, bluish pink stellate-tomentose, re-
curved prickles, base flat, less than 6 mm long and short prickles. Leaves simple, alternate or sub-
opposite, 1.5-15 × 1.5-10cm, blade, ovate or oblong, base acute or oblique, apex at acute, 5-7 lobed,
lobes obtuse or rounded,
64
grey or white-stellate-tomentose beneath, sparsely stellate above, always more or less prickly on the
nerves beneath; petiole 1-3.7cm long, prickles with stellate tomentose. Inflorescences scorpioid cymes,
cymes with very short peduncle, 1-5 cm long, stellate tomoentose with prickles; pedicels erect-patent, 1.2-
1.8cm long, thickened upwards and prickles with stellate tomoentose. Flowers, 1.2-1.8 cm diam., 6-15
flowered; Calyx 6-8 mm diam., pale green, densely whitish stellate tomentose with prickles, tube very
short, 5 lobed; each lobes, 5-6 mm long, laceolate, apex obtuse with tip mucronate, spreading but not
enlarged in fruit. Corolla blue, 15-20 mm diam., 5 lobed; each lobes 10-13 mm long, lanceolate, centre
portion broad wide with stllate-tomentose abaxial side, apex cunate to acute. Stamens 5, 6-8 mm long,
epipetalous, adnate to the base of petals; filaments 1 mm long, glabrous; anther 6 mm long, lanceolate,
yellow, basifixed, apical pores dehiscent. Ovary ovoid, less than 1.5 mm long, globrous with apex portion
single cell hairs; style 8-12 mm long, slender, globrous with densely stellate haris; stigma capitate, green.
Berries globose, less than 1 cm diam., immature pale green to yellow finally orange red, shining. Seeds
sub-orbicular, 3 mm diam., pale brownish yellow, concave, compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: July - December
Distribution in the World: Native of Asia, the species has been introduced all over the tropical and
subtropical country.
Distribution in India: Odisha, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Kerala,
Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Meghalaya and Assam. Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kandhamal Dist.: G.Udayagiri range, Kalinga, 15.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18029 (RPRC), N20 0 ̊ 9’656’’ E084 ̊24’956’’ and ±735 MSL; G.Udayagiri range, Kalinga Ghati,
15.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18030 (RPRC), N20 ̊09’867’’ E084 2 ̊ 4’870’’ and ±737 MSL;
G.Udayagiri range, Kalinga foot hills, 15.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18031 (RPRC), N20 ̊09’462’’
E084 ̊25’170’’ and ±732 MSL; Raikia range, Ramaguda, 16.07.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18039
(RPRC), N20 ̊03’185’’ E084 1 ̊ 2’506’’ and ±658 MSL; Gajapati Dist.: Chandragiri, near Central Tibetan
School, 18.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18047 (RPRC), N19 ̊16’912’’ E084 1 ̊ 6’745’’ and ±630 MSL;
Mahendragiri hills, Maduva, 20.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18063 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 7’760’’ E084
̊20’914’’ and ±797 MSL; Mahendragiri hill top, 20.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18066 (RPRC), N18
̊57’760’’ E084 2 ̊ 0’914’’ and ±1002 MSL; R.Udayagiri hills, 22.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18077
(RPRC), N19 ̊08’777’’ E084 0 ̊ 8’172’’ and ±590 MSL; Chandragiri range, 22.08.2015, C. Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18080 (RPRC), N19 ̊13’466’’ E084 1 ̊ 5’800’’ and ±582 MSL; Chandiput forest, 22.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18084 (RPRC), N19 ̊22’294’’ E084 1 ̊ 7’842’’ and ±593 MSL; Koraput Dist.: Deva
Ghati hills, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10526 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 9’789’’ E082 ̊37’120’’ and
±853MSL; Ghumar Ghati hills, 16.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10529 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 0’714’’ E082
̊36’496’’ and ±725 MSL; Doliamba, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10554 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 8’236’’
E083 ̊04’239’’ and
65
±1015 MSL; Laxmipur, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10559 (RPRC), N18 5̊ 9’565’’ E083 ̊07’415’’
and ±935 MSL; Kotpad, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10570 (RPRC), N19 0̊ 8’103’’ E082 ̊18’401’’
and ±566 MSL; Khurda Dist.: Bhubaneswar, 22.12.1970, H.O.Saxena, 274 (RRL); Bhubaneswar,
05.02.1972, H.O.Saxena, 618 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Koinpur, 03.11.1973, H.O.Saxena, 1232 (RRL);
Rambha, 08.04.1977, H.O.Saxena, M.Brahmam & P.S.Panigrah, 2501 (RRL); Dhenkanal Dist.: Kapilas,
24.01.1976, P.K.Dutia, 2126 (RRL); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Bhaujabasa, 14.11.1980, H.O.Saxena &
M.Brahmam, 4163 (RRL); Meghasini, 27.03.1985, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 5671 (RRL); Koraput
Dist.: Pottangi to Sunki, 27.06.1989, H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 6680 (RRL); Kalahandi Dist.: Mali on the
top of hills, 28.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7626 (RRL); Balangir Dist.: Gandhamardan hills,
Nrusinghanath, 09.11.1986, R.C.Misra, 837 (RPRC); Nayagarh Dist.: Daspalla, 22.11.2006, K.Sahu,
6290 (RPRC); Tamil Nadu, South Arcot Dist.: Gomukanadhi MHEP Areas, Kalrayans, 25.06.1986, K.
Ramamurthy 83862 (MH), Alt. ±1000 MSL; Vellimalai, Kalrayans, 21.10.1983, K. Ramamurthy, 79617
(MH), Alt. ±500 MSL; Moel path, 26.09.1899, 1032 (MH); North Arcot Dist.: on the way to
Jamnanavattum, Javadi hills, 10.11.1983, M. Viswanathan, 873 (MH), Alt. ±650 MSL; Kambakudi,
15.07.158, K. Subramanyam, 6089 (MH), Alt. ±1000 MSL; Manandur, 01.03.1914, 10155 (MH);
Dharmapuri Dist.: Urigur forest, 24.07.1978, E. Vajravelu, 57949 (MH), Alt. ±750 MSL; Marandahalli R.F.,
18.07.1978, E. Vajravelu, 57838 (MH), Alt. ±700 MSL; Samiar aery, D.Kotta, 16.11.1977, E. Vajravelu,
51890 (MH), Alt. ±1000 MSL; Salem Dist.: Chinnakalrayan, 22.07.1977, R. Ansari, 49949 (MH), Alt. ±500
MSL; Shervaryan, 12.06.1917, 14818 (MH); Periyar (now Erode) Dist.: Dhimban-Hassanur Forest,
24.08.1984, E. Vajravelu, 80672 (MH), Alt. ±900 MSL; Tiruchirapally Dist.: Top-Chengalttu patti,
09.08.1958, K.M. Sebastine, 6261 (MH), Alt. ±800 MSL; Top- Chengalttu patti, 28.10.1958, K.M.
Sebastine, 7025 (MH), Alt. ±800 MSL; Madurai Dist.: Sirumalai hills, 23.08.1913, 9049 (MH); ORISSA,
Madras Presidency, Mahendragiri hills, 17.08.1931, V. Narayanasamy, 5712 (MH), Alt. ±4000 ft;
Daringabadi, 03.02.1900, 1388 (MH), Alt. ±3200 ft; Tickapalli to Sinepada, 23.01.1900, 1209 (MH);
Andhra Pradesh, Cuddapah Dist.: Balapalle, 18.07.1962, J.L. Ellis, 14238 (MH), Alt. ±250 MSL;
Balapalle, 22.02.1963, J.L. Ellis, 15759 (MH), Alt. ±250 MSL; East Godavari Dist.: Kuntada R.F.,
16.12.1993, M. Mohanan, 100748 (MH), Alt. ±550 MSL; Maredumilli, 21.06.1965, G.V.Subbarao, 24230
(MH), Alt. ±500 MSL; Foest near Anigeri village (near Addatigala), 25.09.1980, G.V. Subbarao, 6855
(MH), Alt. ±200 MSL; Chittoor Dist.: Near Akkagari Gudi, 01.10.1974, G.V. Subbarao, 45939 (MH), Alt.
±800 MSL; Narayanagiri, Tirumala, 17.09.1987, G.V. Subbarao, 1643 (MH); Visakhapatnam Dist.: Forest
near Sunkarimetta, 28.08.1960, N.P. Balakrishnan, 10899 (MH), Alt. ±1075 MSL; Anantagiri, 20.03.1965,
G.V. Subbarao, 22693 (MH), Alt. ±1125 MSL; Near Sunkarimetta Coffee Plantation, 12.08.1973, G.V.
Subbarao, 44356 (MH), Alt. ±1200 MSL; Chintapalli, 28.08.1966, G.V. Subbarao, 28145 (MH), Alt. ±825
MSL; From I Bangalow towrd Galikonda, 15.05.1964, G.V. Subbarao, 19585 (MH), Alt. ±1200 MSL; South
kota towards Panyagiri, 23.12.1962, G.V. Subbarao, 32759 (MH), Alt. ±150 MSL; Dharakonda gedda,
24.04.1976, G.V. Subbarao, 47419 (MH), Alt. ±775 MSL; Sreekakulam Dist.: Seedhiguda near Dombai,
23.08.1944, P.V. Sreekumar & N. Ramarao, 76900 (MH).
66
Fig. 22. Solanum violaceum Ortega: A. Habit, B. Leaf, C. Fruit twig, D. Flower, E. Inflorescence, F. Fruits

AC DEFB
67
Solanum virginianum L. Sp. Pl. 1: 187. 1753; Saxena, & Brahmam, Fl. Orissa 2:1221. 1995; Daniel, &
Umahaheswari, Fl. Gulf of Mannar 306. 2001; Subbarao, & Kumari, in Rao, Fl. Visakhapatnam Dist. A.P.
India 582. 2002; Venkatappa in T. Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Eastern Ghats 4:307. 2011; Franklin Benjamin &
Murthy, Fl. Srivenkateswara National Park 264.2013; Krishna Kumar et al., Flowering Plants of Sholas
and Grassland of the Nilgiris. Pradag Print, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu :444. 2013. Fig. 23.
Solanum surattense Burm. f. Fl. Ind. 57. 1768, excl. Syn. Pluk et Raj; Sant. in Bull. Bot. Surv. Ind. 3:20.
1961; Deb, J. Eco. Tax. Bot. 1:51. 1980; Matthew, Fl. Tamil Nadu Carnatic 2:1063. 1983; Rao, et al., Fl.
West Godavari Dist. A.P., India 297. 1986; Pullaiah, & Yesoda, Fl. Anantapur Dist. A.P. Ind. 176. 1989;
Ellis, J.L., Fl. Nallamalais 2: 282. 1990; Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Adilabad District A.P., India 154. 1992; Raju, &
Pullaiah, Fl. Kurnool Dist. A.P., India 327. 1995; Pullaiah, & Rao, Fl. Nizamabad Dist. A.P., India 245.
1995; Lakshminarayana, et al., Fl. Krishna Dist. A.P., India 215. 1997; Pullaiah & Venkatappa in Pullaiah
& Moulali, Fl. Andhra Prad. 2: 654. 1997; Pullaiah, et al., Fl. Medak Dist. A.P., India 166. 1998;
Suryanarayana, et al., Fl. Sriharikota Island, Nellore Dist. A.P. 119. 1998; Banerjee, & Rao, Fl. Mahanadi
Delta, Orissa 218. 2001; Suryanarayana & Sreenivasa Rao, Fl. Nellore Dist. Andhra Pradesh 383. 2002;
Anand Kumar, in Rao, Fl. Indravati Tiger Reserve 198. 2003; Madhava Chetty, et al., Flowering Plants of
Chittoor Dist. 232.2008.
Solanum xanthocarpum Schrad. & H. Wendl. Sert. Hannov. 1: 8, t.2. 1795(Type: Aethiopia, Schrad. &
Wendl.-not seen); Prain, Beng. Pl. 2:746.1903; Cooke, Fl. Pres. Bomb. 2:265. 1905; Duthie, Fl. Upp.
Gang. Pl. 2:125. 1911; Haines, Bot. Bih. Or. 613. 1922; Kanj. et al. Fl. Assam 3:371. 1939; Sharfuddin
Khan, For. Fl. Hyderabad state 251. 1950;
S. jacquini Willd. Sp. Pl. 1:1041. 1798 (Type: herb. Roxb. in Wall. Cat. 2612a! CAL).
S. diffusum Roxb. Hort. Beng. 17. 1814 & Fl. Ind. 1:568. 1832(Type: herb. Roxb. in Wall. Cat. 2613a!
CAL).
S. virginianum Jacq. Icon. Rar. 2:t.332, non L. (Type: Jacquin! P). S. armatum R.Br. Prodr. 446. 1810. S.
maccanni Sant. in Journ. Bomb. Nat. Hist. Soc. 47:653. 1948 (Type: Khandala, 18.10.1943, Santapau
2972 & 2973! BLAT).
Solanum mairei H. Lév. Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12:531. 1913.
Vernacular Name: Odia: Ankaranti, Bejari; Tel.:Vankuda, Nelavakuda, Nelamunaka; Tam.:
Kandankathiri.Annual, diffuse herb, very copiously armed all over with straight, yellow, very sharp
prickles, up to 2.5 cm long; branchlets terete sometimes wing like angular, young parts stellate-
tomentose. Leaves simple, alternate or sub- opposite, 2.5-8 × 1-4cm long, blade, ovate, oblong or elliptic,
base at obtuse, apex acute to acuminate, glabrescent or sparsely stellate-pubescent, lacerate with the
lobes or segments mostly again lobed or dentate; petioles 2-3 cm long, terete or flat. Inflorescences in
extra-axillary; simple racemes; peduncle 3-6 cm long, both
68
pedicel stellate hairs with prickles; pedicel 1.5 cm long. Flowers deep blue, 2.5- 3cm across. Calyx green
sometimes brownish pink, 4-8 mm dima., 5 lobed; each lobes, 4 mm long, oblong, apex portion obtuse to
tip mucronate, usually prickles, glabrescent or sparsely stellate-pubescent, persistent, fruiting time
enlarged. Corolla blue-purple, rotate, 1.4–1.6 × 2.5 cm across, 5 lobed; each lobes 13 mm long, ovate-
deltate, apex acute, densely pubescent with stellate hairs. Stamens 5, 8-10 mm long, epipetalous, adnate
to the base of petals; filaments 1 mm long, glabrous; anther 8 mm long, lanceolate, yellow, basifixed,
apically pores dehiscent. Ovary ovoid, 2 mm long, glabrous with apex stellate hair; style 8-10 mm long,
slender; stigma capitate, greenish. Berries globose, 1.5 - 2.5 cm diam., yellow, when immature times
blotched with green. Seeds sub-orbicular, 2 mm diam., pale brownish, glabrous, concave.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout years
Distribution in theo World: Africa, Asia, Thailand, Vietnam and Pacific Islands.
Distribution in India: Throughout the states
Usese: Root is an expectorant, well-known Ayurvedic medicine “Dasamula” employed in coughs, asthma
and pains in chest, being used in the form of a decoction or an electuary. Stem, Flowers and fruits are
bitter and carminative. They are prescribed for relief in burning sensation in the feet accompanied by
vesicular watery eruptions. Leaves are applied locally to relive pain. The juice of berries is used in sore-
throat like roots; seeds are also administered as an expectorant in asthma and cough. The plant is
credited with diuretic properties and is used to cure dropsy. The juice of the leaves mixed with black
pepper is prescribed in rheumatism (Thammanna, & Rao, 1990). Specimens examined:
INDIA, Odisha, Kalahandi Dist.: Bawanipatna, Ampada foot hills, 25.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18002 (RPRC), N19 5 ̊ 4’363’’ E083 ̊09’123’’ and Alt. ±259 MSL; Khanda Bandhapala, 26.06.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18004 (RPRC), N19 ̊54’743’’ E083 0 ̊ 7’019’’ and Alt. ±256 MSL; Bhanbhagar,
26.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18007 (RPRC), N19 ̊55’898’’ E083 0 ̊ 8’985’’ and Alt. ±244 MSL;
Bhawanipatna, Meidinpur, Govt. ITI Road, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18009 (RPRC), N19
̊55’044’’ E083 1
̊ 1’038’’ and Alt. ±282 MSL; Ichhapur, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18010
(RPRC), N19 ̊55’731’’ E083 1 ̊ 2’239’’ and Alt. ±282 MSL; Khadarmal forest, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18011 (RPRC), N19 ̊55’731’’ E083 1 ̊ 2’239’’ and Alt. ±268 MSL; Karalapat range, Sagada
forest, 27.06.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18011 (RPRC), N19 ̊48’286’’ E083 0 ̊ 7’009’’ and Alt. ±274
MSL; Gajapati Dist.: Paralakhemundi, Ranipentha, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18055 (RPRC),
N18 ̊57’281’’ E084 0̊ 1’370’’ and Alt. ±68 MSL; Paralakhemundi, 19.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18056 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 6’749’’ E084 ̊01’625’’ and Alt. ±67 MSL; Katalakaitha, 20.08.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18058 (RPRC), N18 ̊47’952’’ E084 0 ̊ 7’441’’ and Alt. ±74 MSL; Dr. Banjir foot hills,
21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18068 (RPRC), N18 4 ̊ 7’931’’ E084 ̊05’874’’ and Alt. ±93 MSL;
Morgada, 21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18069 (RPRC),
69
Fig. 23. Solanum virginianum L.: A. Habit, B. Leaf, C. Inflorescence, D. Flower, E. Pistil, F. Stamen, G & H. Fruits
AB

CD E

FGH
70
N18 ̊47’586’’ E084 ̊06’372’’ and Alt. ±81 MSL; Sidhamadanga, 21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan,
18071 (RPRC), N18 ̊48’885’’ E084 0 ̊ 2’938’’ and Alt. ±75 MSL; Singipur, 21.08.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 18073 (RPRC), N18 ̊49’170’’ E084 0 ̊ 1’979’’ and Alt. ±77 MSL; K.Sitapur, 21.08.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18075 (RPRC), N18 ̊48’792’’ E083 5 ̊ 9’372’’ and Alt. ±55 MSL; Ganadahati
Waterfalls, 21.08.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 18076 (RPRC), N18 5 ̊ 2’290’’ E084 ̊12’817’’ and Alt.
±136 MSL; Ganjam Dist.: Sorada, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10503 (RPRC), N19 4 ̊ 6’330’’
E084 ̊23’836’’ and Alt. ±118 MSL; Mahadev foot hills, 21.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10504
(RPRC), N19 ̊46’447’’ E084 2 ̊ 3’504’’ and Alt. ±131 MSL; Sorada, Kantaiswari foot hills, 21.11.2015,
C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10508 (RPRC), N19 ̊45’261’’ E084 2 ̊ 6’078’’ and Alt. ±102 MSL;
Kshetriyabarapur, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10512 (RPRC), N19 4 ̊ 8’193’’ E084 ̊36’162’’ and
Alt. ±74 MSL; Aska river side, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10516 (RPRC), N19 3 ̊ 6’589’’ E084
̊40’187’’ and Alt. ±50 MSL; Nugaon, 22.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10518 (RPRC), N19 3 ̊ 7’006’’
E084 ̊41’129’’ and Alt. ±44 MSL; P.Ramachandrapur, 23.11.2015, C.Kalidass & P.Murugan, 10520
(RPRC), N19 ̊27’575’’ E084 4 ̊ 5’026’’ and Alt. ±40 MSL; Koraput Dist.: Kotpad, 18.12.2015, C.Kalidass &
P.Murugan, 10571 (RPRC), N19 ̊08’103’’ E082 1 ̊ 8’401’’ and Alt. ±566 MSL; Kalahandi Dist.: Behind
medicinal plants nursery, on way open ground, 19.02.1969, S.N.Y.Siruham, 116 (RRL); Bhawanipatna
town, 23.11.1991, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 7337 (RRL); Ganjam Dist.: Berhampur, 21.10.1978,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 3355 (RRL); Mayurbhanj Dist.: Salandi, 26.03.1984, H.O.Saxena &
M.Brahmam, 5518 (RRL); Balangir, Dist.: Gandhamardhan hills, Manbhang near paikmal, 25.11.1986,
H.O.Saxena & M.Brahmam, 5990 (RRL); Khurda Dist.: Rasulgarh cana side, 22.01.1993, N.K.Dhal &
B.D.Das, 7734 (RRL); Kendrapara Dist.: Near khola by the side of the bridge, 11.04.1993, M.Brahmam &
B.D.Das, 8071 (RRL); Dhenkanal Dist.: Ektali, 16.11.1993, M.Brahmam & N.K.Dhal, 8278 (RRL);
Malkangiri Dist.: Biralakmanpur, 16.10.2007, S.Biswas & D.K.Sahu, 10269 (RRL); Cuttack, Dist.: Sukinda
Chromite mine, 03.06.1986, R.C.Misra, 540 (RPRC); Balangir Dist.: Gandhamardan hills, Nrusinghanath,
10.11.1986, R.C.Misra, 896 (RPRC); Gandhamardan hills, Nrusinghanath, 29.04.1987, R.C.Misra, 1234
(RPRC); Khurda Dist.: RPRC Campus, 16.02.1987, S.C.Jena, 448 (RPRC); Keonjhar Dist.: Sanghagra,
01.11.1995, S.C.Jena, 5227 (RPRC); Nayagarh Dist.: Daspalla, 22.11.2006, S.C.Jena, 6296 (RPRC);
Daspalla, 22.11.2006, S.C.Jena, 6315 (RPRC).
Solanum multiflorum Roth ex Roemer & Schult., Syst. Veg., ed. 15bis 4: 669.1819. Solanum violaceum
Ortega subsp. multiflorum (C.B.Clarke) K. Matthew, Kew Bull. 46: 545. 1991. Solanum anguivi Lam. var.
multiflorum (Roth) Chithra in A.N.Henry, G.R.Kumari & V. Chithra, Fl. Tamil Nadu, Ind., Series I: Analysis
2: 115.1987. Solanum indicum L. var. muliflorum Wight ex C.B.Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 235.
1883. Solanum indicum sensu C.B. Clarke in Hook.f., Fl. Brit. India 4: 234. 1883.
Perennial, large shrubs to small trees up to 3 m high; branchlets slender, ascending, much branched,
young parts densely stellate-pubescent, orange-translucent, sometimes with minute finger-hairs between
the trichomes; prickles up to 1 cm
71
long, straight to slightly curved, orange-brown, glabrous or sparsely pubescent in the lower; bark smooth
or finely ridged, grey-brown. Leaves simple, alternate or sub- opposite, broad ovate or ovate-lanceolate,
6-25 × 6-18 cm, 3-5 lobed, acute to obtuse at apex, the base generally cuneate to truncate, often oblique,
chartaceous, yellow- green to orange-brown, densely stellate-pubescent on bothe side, primary and
secondary veins on both sides of the leaf up to ca. 15 straight prickles; margin lobed, up to 5 cm long,
broad-deltate to obovate, often with well-developed, secondary lobes, longer. Petiole 1.5-4 cm long, stout,
densely stellate-pubescent, sometimes prickles. Inflorescences axillary or extra-axillary, monochasial or
unbranched, up to 12 cm long, with 10-20 flowers, the axes densely stellate-pubescent, with straight
prickles; peduncle up to 10 cm long; pedicels 1-1.5 cm long, stout, strongly curved, the scars dark
stumps, spaced 1-2 mm apart. Flowers regular, pentamerous. Calyx obconical to cupular, 6-10 mm long,
5-lobed; each lobes 8 mm long, equal, long- delate or lanceolate, apically long-acuminate, venation not
visible, densely stellate- pubescent, with straight or filiform prickles. Corolla mauve or pale purple, 1.5 cm
in diameter, stellate, 5-lobed; each lobes, 7 mm long, deltate to ovate, venation not visible or dark
midvein, densely stellate-pubescent abaxially, moderately stellate- pubescent adaxially, the trichomes
variously reduced. Stamens 5, epipetalous, equal in size; filaments 0.5-1.5 mm long, terete, glabrous;
anthers 7 mm long, oblong or lanceolate, yellow, basifixed and dehisces apically. Ovary 1.5 mm long,
globose, glabrous with densely stellate-pubescent in the upper side; style 6-8 mm long, slender, filliform,
glabrous or stellate-pubescent, almost straight; stigma slightly capitate, green. Berries globose, less than
1cm in diameter, the pericarp thin, smooth, glossy, with stellate hairs sparsely covering the fruit, yellow or
bright orange to orange- brown when ripe; fruiting pedicels, stout, thick, strongly curved downwards,
filiform, straight prickles; fruiting calyx moderately accrescent, elongating, covering of the mature fruit.
Seeds ca. 2.5-3.8 mm long, compressed-reniform, often somewhat irregular in outline, orange-brown, the
surface with raised outlines of cells or small pits.
Flowering & Fruiting: December - April
Distribution in the World: India (Southern India)
Distribution in India: Southern India (especially South Western parts of Tamil Nadu).
Specimens examined: INDIA: Tamil Nadu, Nilgiri District, Naduvattam, 18.01.1961, B.V.Shetty, 11915
(CAL), Alt. 2060 MSL; Madurai District, Poomparai-Kodaikanal, 22.04.1965, K.Ramamurthy, 23370
(CAL), Alt. 2200 MSL; Salem District, Namakal, Kolli hills, Peria shola, 21.04.1978, A. Mohan, 13241
(CAL), Alt. 1400 MSL; Yercaud, Shevaroys, Lodies Seat, 11.05.1978, A. Mohan, 13580 (CAL), Alt. 1475
MSL; South Arcot District, Kalakurichi, Kalrayan hills, Kallipparai, Merkkumalai, 13.06.1978,
K.M.Matthew, & N.Venugopal, 13856 (CAL), Alt. 860 MSL.
72

Cultivated species of Solanum L.

Solanum lycopersicum L. Sp. Pl. 1: 185. 1753
Lycopersicon lycopersicum (L.) Karsten. Deutsch. Fl. 966. 1885. Fig-24.
Lycopersicum esculentum Milld. Gard. Dict. ed. 8. no. 2. 1768; Clarke in Hook. f. Fl. Brit. Ind. 4:237. 1883;
Kanj. et al. Fl. Assam 3:372. 1939. L. cerasiforme Dun. Sol. 113. t. 3.f. B. 1813 & in DC. Prodr. 13(1):26.
1852.
Annual, herbs and unarmed, sprawling, 30 100cm long, viscid pubescent, odorous; stem terete. Leaves,
leaf blade mostly pinnately compound or divided, sometimes entire, 10–40×5-7 cm long, base oblique,
cuneate, apex obtuse; leaflets mostly 5–9, sessile or petiolulate, unequal, ovate or oblong, 5–7 cm, entire
or irregularly dentate, sparingly glandular pilose; petiole 2–5 cm long. Inflorescences simple, raceme;
peduncle 2–5 cm, little or not branched; pedicel 1–1.5 cm long. Calyx rotate-campanulate, lobes
lanceolate. Corolla 2–2.5 cm in diam.; lobes narrowly oblong, 8–10 mm, often reflexed Stamens 5; anther
6-7 mm long, lanceolate, yellow; filaments ca. 1 mm; anthers 6–10 mm. Berries subglobose, 6 – 8 cm
diam., red or orange-yellow, fleshy, juicy, shiny. Seeds reniform, 2-3 mm diam., curved, pale brownish
white, compressed.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout years
Distribution of World: Native to Africa, tropical and subtropical country. Now widely cultivated species.
Distribution of India: Throughout states cultivated species
73
Fig. 24. Solanum lycopersicum L: A. Fruit twig, B. C.S. of Fruit, C. Flower, D & E. Habit

AB C
DE
74
Solanum melongena L. Sp. Pl. 1: 186 1753
S. zeilanicum Scop. Delic. t.1. S.undatum Lamk. Dict. 4:301. 1797. Fig-25
S. trongum Lamk. 4:308. 1797.
S. longum Roxb. Hort. Beng. 16. 1814 & Fl. Ind. 1:567. 1832.
Annual, herbs to 60 cm tall, sparingly unarmed but sometimes armed, pubescent with stellate hairs;
stems terete, minutely tomentose, sometimes with stout recurved prickles. Leaves simple, sub-opposite,
blade ovate to oblong-ovate, 6–18 × 5–11 cm long, stellate-tomentose or sometimes with a few fine
prickles on both surfaces, denser abaxially, base oblique, margin sinuate-lobed, apex obtuse; petiole 2–
4.5 cm long. Inflorescences mostly solitary flowers, rarely reduced racemes; peduncle obsolete. Flowers
andromonoecious; pedicel 1–1.8 cm long. Calyx stellate tomentose, often with ca. 3 mm prickles
abaxially; lobes lanceolate. Corolla purplish or violet, rotate, 3(–5) cm; lobes deltate, ca. 1 cm. Long.
Stamens 5, 8-9 mm long; anther, lanceolate, 6-7.5 mm long, yellow; filaments ca. 2.5 mm long. Style 4–7
mm. Berries black, purple, pink, brown, or yellow, yellowish when completely mature, greatly variable in
form and size, mostly more than 6 cm in diam.
Flowering and Fruiting: Throughout years
Distribution of World: Native to Africa, tropical and subtropical country. Now widely cultivated species.
Distribution of India: Throughout states cultivated species

ACE F
B
D
Fig. 25. Solanum melongena L: A. Habit, B. Leaf, C. Inflorescence, D. Flower, E. Stamen with Corolla, F. Fruit twig
75
76
Solanum wendlandii Hook.f. Bot. Mag. 113: t. 6914. 1887
Solanum mazatenangense Coult. & Donn. Sm. Bot. Gaz. (Crawfordsville) 37(6): 421 1904: Solanum
tlacotalpense Sessé & Moc. Fl. Mexic. ed. 2 2: 57 1892: Solanum unguis- cati Standl. Publ. Field Mus.
Nat. Hist., Bot. Ser. 4(8): 320 1929.
Distribution: India
Perennial vine, herbaceous to woody, upto 1.5 m hight; branchlets, slender, glabrous, baste stout,
recurved prickly. Leaves variable in size, alternate, simple to pinnately, ovate or rarely elliptic, 6–14 × 5–
10 cm long, base rounded to acute, apex obtuse to acute, chartaceous, glabrous both surfaces or
occasionally the abaxial surface puberulent, often armed abaxially on midrib with curved prickles; margin
entire or variously pinnatifid or pinnate with 3–6 leaflets; major leaf lateral nerves 4–8 pairs; petioles upto
6 cm in long, glabrous, often armed with curved prickles. Inflorescences terminal, branched or rarely
unbranched, upto 14 cm long, with upto 30 flowers; peduncle 6–10 cm long, slender, glabrous; pedicels
upto 2 cm, slender at anthesis, articulated at the base; fruiting time elongated. Flower regular,
pentamerous. Calyx campanulate, spreading, tube 2–9 mm, very short 5-lobed; each lobe ca. 3 mm long,
rounded with a distinct apiculate tip, glabrous to puberulent. Corolla 2.5–6 cm in diameter, light blue to
purple, rotate-pentagonal, tube upto 1.5 cm in long, 5-lobed; each lobe 2 mm long, broadly deltate,
acuminate at the tips, glabrous both surfaces. Stamens 5, inseted on the corolla throat, alternating with
the corolla lobes, usually exserted; filaments unequal, with four equal in size upto 1.5 mm long, the fifth
one large in size upto 4 mm long, glabrous; anthers nearly equal, 8-10 mm long, the longer filament
slightly larger, oblong or laceolate in outline, cream or pale purplish blue, sometimes yellowish cream at
base and opening by terminal pores. Ovary globose, 1-2 mm long, glabrous; style ca. 12 mm in fertile
flowers, straight, glabrous; stigma capitate. Berries ca. 4.5 cm in diameter, globose, green with green to
white pulp, rugose when dry. Seeds ca. 4 mm in long, reniform, light reddish brown, the surfaces minutely
pitted, compressed.
Flowering& Fruiting: Apr. - Oct.
Distribution of World: Central America
Distribution of India: Sheevaroys hills

77 References
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