Species

Solanum laxum

Etymology

Solanum: Derivation uncertain - possibly from the Latin word sol, meaning "sun," referring to its status as a plant of the sun. Another possibility is that the root was solare, meaning "to soothe," or solamen, meaning "a comfort," which would refer to the soothing effects of the plant upon ingestion.

Common Name(s)

potato vine

Authority

Solanum laxum Spreng.

Family

Solanaceae

Flora Category

Vascular - Exotic

Structural Class

Dicotyledonous Lianes and Related Trailing Plants

Synonyms

Solanum jasminoides

Habitat

Terrestrial.

Features

High-climbing, usually hairless vine. Stems to 15 m long, semi-woody. Leaf stems to 3 cm long, slender, twining. Leaves alternate, 20-60 x 7-30 mm, thin to oval, occasionally with lobes at base. Flowers star-shaped, white or pale mauve with central yellow cone, 20-33 mm diameter, many and long-lasting in loose terminal clusters, Jan-Dec. Berries 4-6 mm diameter, shiny, dark blue-black, often absent.

Similar Taxa

Can be confused with Jasminum polyanthum when not flowering. However S. jasminoides has alternate leaves. The potato-like flowers Immediately place this vine in Solanaceae

Flowering

January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December

Flower Colours

White,Yellow

Year Naturalised

1958

Origin

S Brazil

Reason For Introduction
Ornamental

Life Cycle Comments
Perennial.

Reproduction
Some of its spread is almost certainly vegetative. (DoC, 1998).

Dispersal
spread by birds (DoC, 1998).

Attribution

Species name change from S. jasminoides to S. laxum by C C Ogle, 24 Oct 2019

This page last updated on 24 Oct 2019