Solanum violaceum

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Solanum violaceum

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum caroliniense
• Solanum obtusifolium
• Solanum ocoapense
• Solanum tridynamum var. anoplocladum
• Solanum tridynamum var. stylosum
• Solanum herbertianum
• Solanum amazonium
• Solanum obtusilobum
• Solanum polygamum
• Solanum verae-crucis
• Solanum tridynamum
• Nycterium amazonium
• Nycterium lambertii

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical presence across various regions of Mexico. It is found within the central parts of Mexico, establishing a significant presence in the heart of the country. Furthermore, its distribution extends to the northeast and the gulf regions of Mexico. The species also inhabits the northwest territories of the nation. Finally, its range reaches into the southwest regions of Mexico, completing its wide-reaching spread.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum houstonii is characterized by its specific niche within montane environments, where it thrives across a distinct altitudinal gradient. This species is primarily distributed within an elevational range that begins at 600 m AMSL and extends up to a maximum of 1300 m AMSL. Occupying these mid-to-high altitude zones, the plant is adapted to the specific climatic conditions, temperature fluctuations, and soil compositions typical of these elevations. Its presence within this 700-meter vertical span indicates a specialized ecological requirement for the moisture levels and light intensities found in these specific montane habitats.

Elevational range max:

1300 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

600 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Solanum houstonii is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist through multiple growing seasons. Its growth architecture is defined by a dual structural classification, exhibiting traits of both phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte life forms, which suggests a capacity for varying heights and woody stem development depending on environmental conditions. As a perennial species, it maintains its presence in its habitat over long durations, utilizing its specialized life forms to navigate seasonal changes and sustain its biological functions year after year.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum houstonii is characterized by a growth form that can be described as a shrub or a forb, exhibiting a non-woody texture throughout its structure. It is a terrestrial plant that functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor as an epiphyte. In terms of stature, the plant typically reaches an average height of approximately 1 meter, though it can grow to a maximum height of up to 2 meters. Furthermore, it is a self-supporting species, possessing the structural integrity to maintain its upright position without the need for climbing or external support.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum houstonii is characterized by a standard C3 photosynthetic pathway, a mechanism common to most members of the Solanaceae family, which involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Regarding its nutrient acquisition and metabolic processes, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the specialized symbiotic relationship with diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms and must instead rely on the uptake of nitrates and ammonium from the soil.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum houstonii is characterized by the production of seeds that exhibit significant variability in mass, reflecting a diverse range of reproductive outputs. Detailed analysis of the seed metrics reveals two distinct data profiles within the population. One subset of the seeds demonstrates a relatively stable mass distribution, with a mean seed mass of 0.002585 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.00217 g to a maximum of 0.003 g. In contrast, another observed group of seeds shows a much broader spectrum of weight, characterized by a mean seed mass of 0.00228 g, which encompasses a wider range from a minimum of 0.0005 g (5e-04 g) to a maximum of 0.00429 g. This variation in seed mass suggests a complex reproductive strategy where the plant produces a mix of smaller, potentially more numerous seeds and larger, more resource-dense seeds to facilitate successful colonization and survival.

Seed mass max:

0.003 g

Seed mass max:

0.00429 g

Seed mass mean:

0.002585 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00228 g

Seed mass min:

0.00217 g

Seed mass min:

5e-04 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum houstonii 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 fruit.

Fruit

1. Phytochemistry

Chemicals

Solanum houstonii has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoid, GUM, Glycoside, SAPONIN, Tannin.

Flavonoid

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

GUM

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Glycoside

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

SAPONIN

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Tannin

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

phenol

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Activities

Solanum houstonii has 2 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Cytotoxic.

Antibacterial

1. Phytochemistry

Cytotoxic

1. Phytochemistry

Preparations

Solanum houstonii has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude methanolic extract, methanolic extract.

Crude methanolic extract

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine

Methanolic extract

1. Avicenna journal of phytomedicine