Jerusalem-cherry

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Jerusalem-cherry
• Winter-cherries
• Madeira winter-cherry
• Madeira-cherry
• false Jerusalem-cherry
• false capsicum
• winter-cherry
• False Jerusalem Cherry
• Jerusalem cherry
• Madeira Cherry
• Madeira Wintercherry
• Natal Cherry
• winter cherry

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum pseudocapsicum f. microcarpum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. diflorum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum subsp. diflorum
• Solanum pseudocapsicastrum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. microcarpum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum f. calvescens
• Solanum pseudocapsicum f. pilosulum
• Solanum linkianum
• Solanum singuliflorum
• Pseudocapsicum undulatum
• Solanum ipecacuanha var. obovata
• Solanum ipecacuanha var. calvescens
• Solanum capsicastrum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. luteum
• Solanum capsicastrum var. caaguazuense
• Solanum diflorum var. pulverulentum
• Solanum compactum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum f. pilulosum
• Solanum diflorum var. angustifolium
• Solanum diflorum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. lancifolium
• Solanum dunnianum
• Solanum eremanthum
• Solanum capsicastrum variegatum
• Solanum hermannioides
• Solanum hygrophilum
• Solanum ipecacuanha
• Solanum jaliscanum
• Solanum hendersonii
• Solanum mexiae
• Solanum ipecachuana
• Solanum microcarpum
• Solanum ipecachuana var. calvescens
• Solanum plurifurcipilum
• Solanum ipecachuana var. obovata
• Solanum pseudocapsicum pilosum
• Solanum montevidense
• Solanum diphyllum var. pulverulentum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. ambiguum
• Solanum diflorum var. hygrophilum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. hygrophilum
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. parvifolium
• Solanum pseudocapsicum var. sendtnerianum
• Solanum tucumanense
• Solanum ulmoides
• Solanum validum

Regional and Traditional Names

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 further classified within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, the species is categorized under the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide distribution across various regions of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence can be documented within Great Britain. Moving into Middle Europe, it is found across Germany as well as the Czechia-Slovakia region. The species also extends into Southwestern Europe, specifically throughout France. Finally, its geographical range reaches further south to include Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum pseudocapsicum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and varied topographical settings. This species exhibits a broad elevational distribution, capable of thriving at sea level (0 m AMSL) and extending its range up to altitudes of 2800 m AMSL. Its habitat preferences are highly eclectic, allowing it to colonize a wide spectrum of ecosystems. It is frequently found in anthropogenic areas (Área Antrópica) and open landscapes such as clean fields (Campo Limpo) and the Cerrado (latu sensu) biome. Furthermore, it integrates into complex forest structures, including Deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Decidual), Semi-deciduous Seasonal Forests (Floresta Estacional Semidecidual), Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila/Pluvial), and Mixed Ombrophilous Forests (Floresta Ombrófila Mista). Additionally, its ecological niche extends to coastal environments such as Restinga, demonstrating a high capacity for survival across both disturbed and natural, high-moisture and seasonally dry habitats.

Elevational range max:

2800 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Campo Limpo, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista, Restinga

Life history

The life history of Solanum pseudocapsicum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, exhibiting a long-term survival strategy that allows it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, its regenerative buds are located on aerial branches, a structural trait that supports its growth habit and allows it to maintain a significant presence above the soil surface. The plant maintains an evergreen deciduousness, ensuring that it retains its foliage throughout various seasonal transitions rather than shedding all leaves annually. This combination of a perennial lifecycle and phanerophyte life form enables the species to establish a stable and enduring presence within its ecological niche.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum pseudocapsicum is characterized by a woody, self-supporting growth form that ranges from a subshrub to a shrub. It is a terrestrial, independent plant that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation, reaching a minimum height of 0.3 m, with a mean height of approximately 1.1 m, and can attain a maximum height of up to 2.5 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2.5 m

Plant height mean:

1.1 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum pseudocapsicum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. Its foliar morphology demonstrates significant variability in dimensions, with leaf forms described as elliptic. The leaf length exhibits a broad range, with a minimum measurement of 1 cm, a mean of 3.5 cm, and a maximum reaching up to 11.5 cm. Similarly, the leaf width fluctuates between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 4.4 cm, maintaining a mean width of 3.2 cm. Furthermore, the plant does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it relies on external soil nitrogen sources rather than symbiotic nitrogen-fixing bacteria to fulfill its nutritional requirements.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

11.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

4.4 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.2 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum pseudocapsicum is characterized by a sexual process involving bisexual flowers that exhibit an orange coloration. The flowering period is extensive and variable, beginning as early as December and concluding in October. These flowers, which range in width from 1 cm to 1.5 cm, rely on biotic pollination, specifically through an insect-driven syndrome. Notably, self-fertilization is absent in this species. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent berries that are orange in color. These fruits vary in size, with a mean length of 1.45 cm (ranging from 1 cm to 1.5 cm) and a mean width of approximately 1.42 cm (ranging from 0.8 cm to 2 cm). Within each fruit, there is a high seed yield, typically containing between 101 and 1000 seeds. The seeds themselves are relatively small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.002989 g (ranging from 0.00236 g to 0.00353 g), a mean length of 2.875 mm (with a consistent range of 2.75 mm), and a mean width of 2 mm. The seed volume remains constant at a mean of 12 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are spread through the digestive tracts of animals. Asexual reproduction is absent in this plant.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

orange

Flower width max:

1.5 cm

Flower width min:

1 cm

Flowering time :

Dec

Flowering time :

Oct

Fruit colour :

orange

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.45 cm

Fruit length min:

1 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

2 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.41666666666667 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.875 mm

Seed length min:

2.75 mm

Seed mass max:

0.00353 g

Seed mass mean:

0.00298916666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00236 g

Seed volume max:

12 mm³

Seed width mean:

2 mm

Seeds_per_fruit :

101-1000

Self fertilization :

absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum pseudocapsicum 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 root.

Root

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Journal of natural products

Chemicals

Solanum pseudocapsicum has 10 reported phytochemicals identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 15-Methylhexadecanoic acid, 2-Methoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine, BETA-ELEMENE, Fatty acids, Hexadecanoic acid.

15-Methylhexadecanoic acid

1. Journal of medicinal food

2-Methoxy-3-isopropylpyrazine

1. Journal of medicinal food

BETA-ELEMENE

1. Journal of medicinal food

Fatty acids

1. Journal of medicinal food

Hexadecanoic acid

1. Journal of medicinal food

Phaeophorbide A

1. Current topics in medicinal chemistry

Pheophorbide a

1. Planta medica

Terpenoids

1. Journal of medicinal food

aldehydes

1. Journal of medicinal food

delta-Elemene

1. Journal of medicinal food

Conditions

Solanum pseudocapsicum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Helicobacter pylori.

Helicobacter pylori

1. World journal of gastroenterology

Preparations

Solanum pseudocapsicum has 1 reported preparations identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include root bark.

Root bark

1. Journal of natural products