Solanum bonariense

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum bonariense f. typicum
• Solanum astroites
• Solanum baccatum
• Solanum excelsum
• Solanum fastigiatum
• Solanum saponaceum var. uruguense
• Solanum asterigerum
• Solanum regnelii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae, the order Solanales, and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Solanum, which includes the species Solanum bonaeriense.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across several key regions in the Mediterranean basin. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found throughout Spain and specifically within the Baleares islands. Its presence extends into Southeastern Europe, where it is documented in Italy. Furthermore, the species is established in Northern Africa, appearing in both Algeria and Tunisia. This range highlights the plant's ability to thrive in diverse Mediterranean coastal environments.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum bonariense is characterized by its presence in diverse landscapes, ranging from disturbed anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and open grasslands (Campo Limpo) to the more complex environments of mixed ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). This species exhibits a broad altitudinal distribution, occupying a vertical gradient that begins at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extends up to a maximum elevation of 900 m AMSL. This wide elevational range, combined with its ability to thrive in both human-altered habitats and natural forest structures, suggests a high degree of ecological plasticity within its native range.

Elevational range max:

900 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Floresta Ombrófila Mista

Life history

The life history of Solanum bonaeriense is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and survival strategies, it exhibits a dual classification of life forms, manifesting as both a phanerophyte and a nanophanerophyte. This indicates that while the plant possesses the capacity to maintain its buds or woody stems above the ground level, it also maintains a compact growth habit where the shoot system remains relatively close to the soil surface.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum bonariense is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub. This plant exhibits a self-supporting habit, meaning it does not function as a climber, liana, or vine, and it grows in an erect shoot orientation. As a terrestrial species, it is neither aquatic nor semiaquatic, nor does it function as an epiphyte or a parasite, maintaining an independent existence within its habitat. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches a height ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 2 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum bonaeriense is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation efficiency. The plant's vegetative structure features an alternate leaf arrangement, facilitating optimal light interception for its elliptic-shaped leaves. These leaves exhibit significant morphological variability in size, with lengths ranging from a minimum of 6 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, and widths spanning from 2 cm to 10 cm. This variation in leaf dimensions and form plays a critical role in the plant's transpiration rates and overall energy production within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf arrangement :

alternate

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

6 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum bonariense is characterized by a flowering period that typically commences in February and extends through July, though the timing can remain variable. The plant produces distinct violet-colored flowers, which measure between 2.5 cm and 3 cm in width. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit in the form of a berry, which is classified as indehiscent. These berries exhibit an orange color and vary in size, with a minimum width of 0.7 cm and a maximum width of 1.3 cm.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Flower colour :

violet

Flower width max:

3 cm

Flower width min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

Feb

Flowering time :

Jul

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

1.3 cm

Fruit width min:

0.7 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum bonariense has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, stem.

Leaf

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology
2. International journal of molecular sciences

Stem

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Chemicals

Solanum bonariense has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Hydroxycinnamic Acids.

Hydroxycinnamic Acids

1. International journal of molecular sciences

Activities

Solanum bonariense has 2 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Hepatoprotective.

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatoprotective

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Solanum bonariense has 4 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract, aqueous extract of leaves, aqueous extracts of leaves, aqueous infusions.

Aqueous extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extract of leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous extracts of leaves

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Aqueous infusions

1. International journal of molecular sciences