Tropical Soda Apple

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• tropical soda-apple
• Tropical Soda Apple

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum viridiflorum
• Cyphomandra viridiflora
• Solanum khasianum var. chatterjeeanum
• Pionandra viridiflora

Regional and Traditional Names

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. Following its placement in the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Solanales, it is a member of the family Solanaceae. Finally, it is identified under the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range spanning several different continents. In West Tropical Africa, its presence is specifically noted in Sierra Leone. Its distribution extends into West-Central Tropical Africa, where it can be found within the DR Congo. Within Southern Africa, the species inhabits both KwaZulu-Natal and Esswatini. Finally, the plant reaches East Asia, specifically documented in China South-Central.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum viarum is characterized by its ability to thrive in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica), indicating a high degree of adaptability to environments modified by human activity. This species demonstrates a broad altitudinal distribution, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to a maximum elevation of 835 m AMSL. This elevational gradient suggests that the plant can tolerate diverse microclimates and varying topographical conditions within low-to-mid altitude landscapes.

Elevational range max:

835 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica

Life history

The life history of Solanum viarum is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its growth habit and structural adaptation to its environment, it is categorized as a chamaephyte, a life form where the permanent buds are located close to the soil surface, typically just above the ground level. This specific life form designation, consistent across both its nanophanerophyte-related and broader botanical classifications, ensures the plant's resilience and ability to regenerate effectively following seasonal changes.

Life form :

chamaephyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum viarum is characterized by a woody growth form, primarily manifesting as a shrub. It exhibits a versatile ecological habit, ranging from aquatic and semiaquatic environments to terrestrial settings. In terms of its physical structure, the plant functions as a self-supporting climber, though it can also be categorized by its self-supporting nature rather than being an obligatory or facultative vine. The plant maintains a modest stature, with a height that typically ranges from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 2 m. As a terrestrial organism, it is not an epiphyte, functioning as an independent plant rather than a parasite.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height min:

0.5 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum viarum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies. The vegetative development of the plant is closely tied to its leaf morphology, where the foliage exhibits significant dimensional variability. The leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 10 cm to a maximum of 20 cm, while their width fluctuates between a minimum of 6 cm and a maximum of 15 cm. These morphological dimensions play a critical role in the plant's ability to optimize light interception and gas exchange within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

20 cm

Leaf length min:

10 cm

Leaf width max:

15 cm

Leaf width min:

6 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum viarum is characterized by the production of specialized fruit structures and specific seed morphologies. The plant produces fruit categorized as a berry, which is fundamentally indehiscent, meaning the fruit does not split open at maturity to release its contents. Within these fruits, the seeds exhibit a highly consistent mass, with a recorded mean, maximum, and minimum seed mass of 0.00251 g. This uniformity in seed size suggests a stabilized reproductive output typical of the species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Fruit type :

berry

Seed mass mean:

0.00251 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Solanum viarum has 8 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include solasodine, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Saponins, Solanidine.

solasodine

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology
2. Steroids

Carotenoids

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Flavonoids

1. Journal of environmental biology

Saponins

1. Journal of environmental biology

Solanidine

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Superoxide dismutase

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Tannins

1. Journal of environmental biology

proline

1. Applied microbiology and biotechnology

Conditions

Solanum viarum has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diabetes mellitus.

Diabetes mellitus

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Preparations

Solanum viarum has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include in vitro cultures.

In vitro cultures

1. Steroids