China flowerleaf

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• China flowerleaf
• big eggplant
• flannelbush
• potato-tree
• tobacco-tree
• velvet nightshade

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum erianthum var. adulterinum
• Solanum eriocalyx
• Solanum amblycalycinum
• Solanum amblycalyx
• Solanum verbascifolium var. adulterinum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its taxonomic classification concludes with the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily distributed across the West Tropical Africa region. Specifically, it can be found growing within the borders of Benin. Its presence is also documented throughout the nation of Ghana. Furthermore, the species inhabits parts of Guinea and the Ivory Coast. Finally, its geographical range extends into Liberia.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum erianthum is characterized by its preference for forest environments, where it establishes itself within diverse woodland ecosystems. This species exhibits a broad vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying a significant altitudinal gradient. Its presence is recorded from low-lying areas starting at an elevation of 200 m AMSL, extending upward through various ecological zones to a maximum elevation of 2100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

2100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

200 m AMSL

Habitat :

forest

Life history

The life history of Solanum erianthum is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial species, it does not complete its life cycle in a single year like annuals, nor does it follow the two-year cycle typical of biennials; instead, it establishes a long-term presence that enables it to undergo repeated cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive development. This longevity allows the plant to adapt to its specific ecological niche, building sufficient energy reserves to support seasonal flowering and seed production over an extended lifespan.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum erianthum is characterized by a woody growth form that primarily manifests as a shrub or a tree. It is a terrestrial plant that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The species exhibits a self-supporting climbing habit, distinguishing it from obligate vines or lianas. In terms of stature, the plant reaches a maximum height of approximately 8 m, with a mean plant height of 4.44 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

tree

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

8 m

Plant height mean:

4.44 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum erianthum is characterized by specific morphological and metabolic parameters that define its growth and energy production. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common carbon fixation mechanism that dictates its efficiency in various light and temperature conditions. Its vegetative development is marked by significant variation in foliage, with leaf dimensions ranging from a minimum length of 8 cm to a maximum length of 24 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 4 cm and a maximum of 15 cm. Furthermore, regarding its nutrient acquisition, the species does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on the uptake of available nitrogen from the soil through its root system.

Leaf length max:

24 cm

Leaf length min:

8 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum erianthum is characterized by a specific flowering phenology that typically begins in May and concludes in August. The plant produces fleshy fruit classified as a berry, which is indehiscent in nature. Dispersal of the progeny follows a zoochorous syndrome, indicating that animals play a key role in spreading the seeds. The seeds produced are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.000630833333333333 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00055 g to a maximum of 0.000775 g. Furthermore, the seed volume remains consistent throughout its measurement, with a recorded mean, minimum, and maximum value of 0.58 mm³.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Aug

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit type :

berry

Seed mass max:

0.000775 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000630833333333333 g

Seed mass min:

0.00055 g

Seed volume max:

0.58 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum erianthum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences
2. Pharmaceutical biology

Chemicals

Solanum erianthum has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE, Caryophyllene oxide, Flavonoid, Humulene epoxide II, P-CYMENE.

BETA-CARYOPHYLLENE

1. Natural product communications

Caryophyllene oxide

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Flavonoid

1. Journal of biotechnology

Humulene epoxide II

1. Pharmaceutical biology

P-CYMENE

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Tannin

1. Journal of biotechnology

alpha-Humulene

1. Natural product communications

methyl salicylate

1. Pharmaceutical biology

solasodine

1. Journal of biotechnology

Activities

Solanum erianthum has 3 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Abortifacient, Antimicrobial, Cytotoxic.

Abortifacient

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Antimicrobial

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Cytotoxic

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Preparations

Solanum erianthum has 6 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous leaf extract, berries, crude ethanolic extracts, crude extract, leaf volatile oil.

Aqueous leaf extract

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences

Berries

1. Wilderness & environmental medicine

Crude ethanolic extracts

1. Biological research

Crude extract

1. African journal of medicine and medical sciences

Leaf volatile oil

1. Pharmaceutical biology

Leaves

1. Wilderness & environmental medicine