wolf apple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• wolf apple
• wolf-apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum rupincola var. macrocarpum
• Solanum lycocarpum subsp. macrophyllum
• Solanum lycocarpum var. paraguariense
• Solanum lycocarpum f. angustifolium
• Solanum grandiflorum f. apaense
• Solanum grandiflorum f. paraguariensis
• Solanum grandiflorum var. macrocarpum
• Solanum lycocarpum var. macrocarpum
• Solanum grandiflorum var. angustifolium
• Solanum grandiflorum var. pulverulentum
• Solanum lycocarpum var. decalvatum

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 further falls under the subclass Magnoliidae in the order Solanales, specifically within the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is categorized under the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad distribution across several distinct regions of Brazil. It can be found throughout the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast portions of the country. Additionally, its presence extends into the southern reaches of Brazil. Beyond Brazilian borders, the species is also documented in Paraguay within Southern South America. Together, these locations highlight a wide range of habitats for the species across the continent.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum lycocarpum is characterized by its presence in the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome, where it also demonstrates an ability to colonize anthropized areas (Área Antrópica). This species occupies a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 1100 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

1100 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Cerrado (lato sensu)

Life history

The life history of Solanum lycocarpum is characterized by a perennial lifecycle, allowing the plant to persist in its natural habitat over multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial shoots well above the ground, a structural adaptation that defines its physical presence within the ecosystem. This plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage in response to seasonal environmental shifts or moisture availability. Its classification as a phanerophyte is consistent across different botanical descriptors, underscoring its growth habit of maintaining elevated woody or semi-woody structures to support its biological processes and reproductive stages.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum lycocarpum is characterized by its growth as a woody shrub, exhibiting a sturdy and self-supporting structure. It is a terrestrial plant that functions independently, showing no parasitic tendencies. In terms of stature, the species typically reaches a mean height of 2.5 m, though it can attain a maximum height of up to 5 m. As a self-supporting shrub, it does not rely on climbing mechanisms like vines or lianas, nor does it exhibit epiphytic behavior, maintaining its development strictly in a terrestrial habitat.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

2.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum lycocarpum is characterized by specialized metabolic processes adapted to the nutrient-poor, seasonal environments of the Brazilian Cerrado. Its physiological framework involves complex carbon assimilation and water management strategies to survive prolonged dry periods, utilizing deep root systems to access subterranean moisture. Regarding its nutrient acquisition, the plant does not engage in symbiotic relationships with diazotrophic bacteria to convert atmospheric gases into usable nutrients; specifically, it is not a nitrogen fixer (trait_1: nitrogen fixer, trait_2: nitrogen_fix_1, trait_value: no, trait_units: yes, no). Instead, it relies on the uptake of mineral nitrogen from the soil through its root architecture. The plant also exhibits distinct secondary metabolism, producing various alkaloids and phytochemicals that serve physiological roles in defense against herbivory and environmental stressors, contributing to its overall resilience in its native biome.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum lycocarpum is centered around the development of its fruit and the subsequent dispersal of its seeds. The plant produces fruit characterized by a fleshy texture, which serves as a critical component in its reproductive cycle. Within these fleshy fruits, the seeds are produced with highly consistent dimensions; the seed volume remains constant with a minimum, maximum, and mean value of 180 mm³. This uniformity in seed volume suggests a stabilized reproductive strategy aimed at maintaining consistent nutrient reserves for each offspring.

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Seed volume max:

180 mm³

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum lycocarpum has 1 reported plant parts identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Protein and peptide letters
3. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas
4. Journal of ethnopharmacology
5. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Solanum lycocarpum has 7 reported phytochemicals identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Solamargine, Solasonine, 12-Hydroxysolasonine, Lobofrutoside, STARCH.

Solamargine

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of natural products
4. Parasitology research

Solasonine

1. Journal of natural medicines
2. Journal of ethnopharmacology
3. Journal of natural products
4. Parasitology research

12-Hydroxysolasonine

1. Journal of natural products

Lobofrutoside

1. Phytochemistry

STARCH

1. Brazilian journal of medical and biological research = Revista brasileira de pesquisas medicas e biologicas

myo-inositol

1. Protein and peptide letters

solasodine

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Activities

Solanum lycocarpum has 2 reported activities identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antinociceptive, Antioxidant.

Antinociceptive

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Antioxidant

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Conditions

Solanum lycocarpum has 6 reported investigations on conditions identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include asthma, bronchitis, hepatitis, leishmaniasis, obesity.

Asthma

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Bronchitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Hepatitis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Leishmaniasis

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Obesity

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ulcers

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Solanum lycocarpum has 6 reported preparations identified across 6 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include alkaloidic extract of the S. lycocarpum fruit, dichloromethane fraction, ethanol extract, fruit glycoalkaloid extract, methanolic extract of the fruits.

Alkaloidic extract of the s. lycocarpum fruit

1. Parasitology research

Dichloromethane fraction

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Ethanol extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Fruit glycoalkaloid extract

1. Journal of natural medicines

Methanolic extract of the fruits

1. Journal of natural products

Plant extract

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology