Solanum paniculatum

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum rothelianum
• Solanum botelhianum
• Solanum belfort
• Solanum dictyoticum
• Solanum belfortianum
• Solanum chloroleucum
• Solanum botelho
• Solanum jubeba
• Solanum macronema
• Solanum manoelii
• Solanum mutabile
• Solanum paniculatum f. canescens
• Solanum paniculatum f. repandum
• Solanum paniculatum var. ellipticum
• Solanum paniculatum var. integrifolium

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. It is classified within 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 range that spans across multiple continents and oceanic regions. In the Atlantic, its presence is noted within the Macaronesian region, specifically in Cape Verde. Moving towards the Americas, it can be found in Western South America, particularly in Bolivia. Within Brazil, the species is widely distributed across the West-Central, Northeast, and Southeast regions. This broad distribution highlights the plant's ability to inhabit various ecological zones throughout the tropics and subtropical areas.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum paniculatum is characterized by its presence in diverse environments ranging from human-disturbed landscapes to dense, humid forest systems. Specifically, it inhabits both anthropic areas (Área Antrópica) and Ombrophilous forests (Floresta Ombrófila), which includes tropical rainforest ecosystems (Floresta Pluvial). This species is found across a low-to-moderate altitudinal gradient, with an elevational range spanning from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum of 500 m AMSL.

Elevational range max:

500 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial)

Life history

The life history of Solanum paniculatum is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment through multiple growing seasons. As a perennial plant, it maintains a long-term presence in its habitat, often developing robust structures that enable it to survive periods of dormancy or environmental stress before resuming active growth. This extended lifecycle facilitates a continuous contribution to the local ecosystem and provides the plant with multiple opportunities for reproductive success over several years. Through its perennial nature, it establishes a stable biological presence, undergoing seasonal cycles of vegetative development and flowering to ensure its long-term survival and propagation.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum paniculatum is characterized by a woody growth form, typically manifesting as a shrub that can reach an average plant height of approximately 2 meters. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit epiphytic or aquatic tendencies, nor does it function as a parasite, maintaining an independent biological existence. Although it possesses a sturdy structure, its climbing habit is classified as self-supporting rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine or liana.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height mean:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum paniculatun is characterized by complex metabolic processes typical of the Solanaceae family, focusing primarily on efficient nutrient uptake and specialized secondary metabolism. Regarding its relationship with soil chemistry and nutrient cycling, the plant is not a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with rhizobia or other diazotrophic bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into ammonia; instead, it relies entirely on the absorption of nitrates and ammonium ions from the soil through its root system. Its physiological drive is centered on the synthesis of various alkaloids and bioactive compounds, which are regulated by intricate enzymatic pathways to serve as chemical defenses. Photosynthetic efficiency in this species is optimized to support its growth patterns, driving the translocation of carbohydrates from the leaves to the reproductive structures. The plant's water regulation and osmotic potential are managed through coordinated stomatal movements, ensuring survival in its specific ecological niche while maintaining the cellular turgor necessary for structural integrity.

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Solanum paniculatum has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Carotenoids, Flavonoids.

Carotenoids

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Flavonoids

1. Biomedicine & pharmacotherapy = Biomedecine & pharmacotherapie

Activities

Solanum paniculatum has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Oxidative medicine and cellular longevity

Medicinal Uses

Solanum paniculatum has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include breast cancer.

Most Reported Uses