devil's-fig

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• devil's-fig

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum lanatum
• Solanum antiguense
• Solanum hispidum
• Solanum rusbyi
• Solanum sassafrideum
• Solanum asperolanatum var. tovarianum
• Solanum hispidum var. cerrateae
• Solanum hispidum var. ferreyrae
• Solanum phaeophyllum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae, it is classified under the genus Solanum. As a member of the Solanum genus, Solanum asperolanatum represents a specific branch of this diverse medicinal group.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a remarkably broad and fragmented geographical distribution across several different continents. In the Atlantic, it can be found within the Macaronesian archipelago, specifically in the Azores. Its presence extends to the Southern Hemisphere, where it inhabits the Cape Provinces of Southern Africa and the state of Queensland in Australia. Furthermore, the species is widely distributed across the Indian Subcontinent, with established populations in India. Finally, its range reaches the Americas, specifically within the central regions of Mexico.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum asperolanatum is characterized by its adaptation to high-altitude montane environments, where it thrives within a specific vertical distribution. This species is primarily found in mountainous terrains, occupying an elevational range that extends from a minimum of 800 m AMSL to a maximum of 3100 m AMSL. This wide altitudinal gradient suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity, allowing the plant to inhabit various microclimates ranging from lower montane forests to higher-altitude subalpine zones. Such a range indicates that the species is capable of tolerating the varying temperature fluctuations, atmospheric pressures, and moisture levels typical of these diverse elevational strata.

Elevational range max:

3100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

800 m AMSL

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum asperolanatum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a tree that reaches significant dimensions, with a plant height ranging from a minimum of 3 m to a maximum of approximately 9.14 m. As a terrestrial organism, it functions as an independent species rather than a parasite or an epiphyte, maintaining its own nutrient and water acquisition without reliance on host plants. While it possesses a self-supporting structural habit, it exhibits characteristics that allow it to function without the need for external climbing support, distinguishing it from obligatory lianas or vines. Its habitat is strictly terrestrial, lacking aquatic or semiaquatic adaptations.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

9.144111192 m

Plant height min:

3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum asperolanatum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Solanum asperolanatum has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 6alpha-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-spirostan-3beta-ol.

6alpha-O-beta-D-quinovopyranosyl-(25S)-5alpha-spirostan-3beta-ol

1. Journal of natural products

Activities

Solanum asperolanatum has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antimycotic.

Antimycotic

1. Journal of natural products

Preparations

Solanum asperolanatum has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include leaves.

Leaves

1. Journal of natural products