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Solanum torvum

Sw. (1788)

This name is accepted

Kingdom: Viridiplantae Phylum: Magnoliophyta Class/Clade: Eudicot-Asterids Order: Solanales Family: Solanaceae Genus: Solanum

chundakkai, makhua phuang, pea aubergine, pea eggplant, turkeyberry

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Spreading or sprawling shrubs 2–3 m tall.

Stems: Prickles 3–7 mm long, slightly hooked, laterally flattened, scattered on stems, both leaf surfaces, main veins, sparse on aged and mature growth, all parts pubescent with stellate hairs, sparse on upper leaf surface, dense on lower surface, general aspect drab.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades broadly ovate–elliptic, variable in size, 10–15 cm long, 8–10 cm wide. Apex acute to obtuse. Base somewhat sagittate to auriculate, equal or oblique. Surfaces pubescent with stellate hairs, sparse on upper surfaces, dense on lower surfaces. Margins with broad lobes, deeply cut in juvenile phases, shallow in mature leaves. Petioles 2–5 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers numerous (50–100) in congested, branched corymbs, at first terminal, soon lateral by sympodial growth; peduncle to first fork 1–2 cm long. Lower flowers bisexual (perfect), upper ones staminate, actinomorphic; pedicels 5–10 mm long. Calyx 3–4 mm long, the lobes apiculate, 2–3 mm long. Corolla white, stellate, 2.5 cm in diameter, the lobes lanceolate, ca. 10 mm long, apex acute. Stamens 5, inserted on corolla tube; filaments ca. 1 mm long; anthers yellow, attenuate, 6–7 mm long, opening by small apical pores. Ovary superior, globose, pubescent; style 1, erect, 8–10 mm long in perfect flowers, in staminate flowers.

Fruit: Berries few to 10 in clusters; drab yellow; brownish at maturity; mucilaginous; drying with age; globose; 11.5 cm in diameter; pedicels 1–1.5 cm long; thickened below calyx; calyx not much enlarged. Seeds numerous; drab brownish; flattened; discoid; 1.5–2 mm long; slightly reticulate. Self–compatible.

Ploidy: 2n = 24; 48

Habitat:

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

Kuaihelani (Midway Atoll) Naturalized
Kaua'i Naturalized
O'ahu Naturalized
Lana'i Potentially naturalizing
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents

Birds

Vegetative Reproduction

Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Prodr. Veg. Ind. Occ.: 47 (1788)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1276 (O, WM); Oppenheimer et al. 1999:10 (EM); Starr et al. 2003:32 (H); Staples & Herbst 2005:36 (KEY), 539 (DESCR); Frohlich & Lau 2012:48 (K); Starr & Starr 2017:6 (Mi); Oppenheimer & Bogner 2019:23 (L)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Solanum torvum East Maui, Oheo along Living Farm road Preserved_Specimen Welton, P. 2443 Maui BISH 2019-06-07
2 Solanum torvum Asian Store, Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Abbott, I.A. 15991 Oahu BISH 1981-11-07
3 Solanum torvum Poamoho Road Pasture dominated by SchTer, grasses, Kukui Preserved_Specimen White flowers, spines on stems, ~1.5 m tall, naturalized Ching-Harbin, S. 2020110903 Oahu BISH 2020-11-09
4 Solanum torvum West Maui, lower Iao Valley Rd dense weedy undergrowth, in clearings. Preserved_Specimen shrubs to 15 ft. Hobdy, R.W. 1759 Maui BISH 1983-05-20
5 Solanum torvum Kaneohe, Kokokahi Hunger Mission at 45-741 Ko St Preserved_Specimen Clay, H.F. Oahu BISH 1986-05-20
6 Solanum torvum Honolulu, Laotian market, Beretania St @ River St. Preserved_Specimen Staples, G.W. Oahu BISH 1994-12-10
7 Solanum torvum UH-Hilo, near entrance lightpost Associated vegetation: Paspalum conjugatum. Preserved_Specimen Erect perennial shrub, ca. 2m ht, thorny & woody; leaves simple, plants prickly (barely), pubescent, stems not winged; flowers pedunculate, 3 or more per inflorescence, white w. yellow center (anthers), anthers opening by apical slits, calyx unarmed; fruits 1-2cm diameter. Starr, F. 108011 Hawaii BISH 2001-08-01
8 Solanum torvum Honolulu Diamond Head Community Garden, Leahi St. (mauka side) shrub border Preserved_Specimen sparsely thorny shrub ~5', open branches; flws pure white, pleasantly fragrant, anthers yellow: fruits globose, firm, green turning brown and dry at maturity. Staples, G.W. 705 Oahu BISH 1990-10-21
9 Solanum torvum Poamoho road. Section of road adjacent to the lower cattle pasture. Growing along cattle fence on side of dirt road in lowland alien Albizia forest. Growing with all kine weeds. Preserved_Specimen Huge plant growing out of cow poop. Leaves large, hirsute with stellate hairs, ovate with irregular shallow lobes. Stems armed. Fruit does not taste that good. Good ting I neva shet myself. Thomas, M.K. 681 Oahu BISH 2024-06-06
10 Solanum torvum Mauka of Lanai City, between Kaiholena and Kapano Gulches, vicinity of Nininiwai Hill. Among new and old, neglected landscaping trees and weeds such as Acacia confusa, Eucalyptus sp, Psidium cattleianum & Schinus terebinthifolius. Preserved_Specimen Woody small trees to 5m tall or shrubs, flowers white. Oppenheimer, H.L. 61810 Lanai BISH 2018-06-27
11 Solanum torvum Kawaihau District. Wailua, near the intersection of Haleilio Road and Kuhio Highway. Growing with Macaranga tanarius, Ricinus communis, Syzygium cumini, Leucaena leucocephala. Preserved_Specimen Shrub, approximately 1.5 meters tall, a few spines along stem; leaves light dull green, margins shallowly undulate; corolla white; berries immature, green, shiny. Brock, K. 985 Kauai BISH 2017-05-15
12 Solanum torvum Waimea Arboretum In dappled shade. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 2 m tall, branched at base; flws white, odorless (morning). Lau, J. 2385 Oahu BISH 1986-05-12
13 Solanum torvum Wailua, on Koki Rd. Lowland disturbed roadside area. Preserved_Specimen 8 ft tall shrub, flowers white, fruits green ripening to black. OED 2010040502 Kauai BISH 2010-04-05
14 Solanum torvum East Maui, Hana District, Horse paddock at the end of Uwala St in Hana Associated with Psidium guajava, Rubus rosifolius, Desmodium sp., Nephrolepis sp., Schinus terebinthifolius, Ardisia elliptica, Commelina sp., Ricinus communis, Spathodea campanulata. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 98082715 Maui BISH 1998-08-27
15 Solanum torvum Lahaina, Honokahua Valley along side road; Panicum maximum Preserved_Specimen 2 m shrubs, spiny; flower white Oppenheimer, H.L. 70808 Maui BISH 2008-07-30
16 Solanum torvum Kawaihau District. Private lands behind Coco Palms, parcel on Makai side of Koki Road. Low depression covered with Bacopa, surrounding by secondary lowland forest of Java Plam and Macaranga tanarius and piles of cut green waste and assorted rubbish. Syzygium cumini, Macaranga tanarius, Megathyrsus maximus, Eclipta prostrata, Leucaena leucocephala, Pluchea indica, P. carolinensis, Amaranthus spinosus, Ipomoea triloba, Solanum torvum, Cyperus spp., Preserved_Specimen Woody shrubs to 3 meters tall, common all throughout this parcel, in sun and part shade, all age classes observed. Flowers white, stamens yellow, immature fruits green. Williams, A.M. 829 Kauai BISH 2023-09-26
17 Solanum torvum East Maui, along road to Hana airport, Kaeleku Disturbed Pandanus forest. Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 m tall, locally abundant. Oppenheimer, H.L. 305 Maui BISH 1998-06-21
18 Solanum torvum Happy Valley, Wailuku, Maui, Iao Stream along banks Preserved_Specimen shrubby herb, flowers white, star-shaped, 1 diameter, stamens yellow, fruit green and 1/2 in diameter. Leaves not prickly, stems with scattered prickles Korte, K.H. Maui BISH 1965-03-16
19 Solanum torvum West Maui, lower Iao Valley Rd dense weedy undergrowth, in clearings. Preserved_Specimen shrubs to 15 ft. Hobdy, R.W. 1759 Maui BISH 1983-05-20
20 Solanum torvum Wailuku, Iao along streambed Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 23636 Maui BISH 1954-08-01
21 Solanum torvum East Maui, Makawao District, Gulch on Kaupakalua road just before the juction with W Kuiaha road, Haiku Associated with Glycine wightii Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 980408105 Maui BISH 1998-04-08
22 Solanum torvum Along Highway 99 near Highway 83 junction Roadside vegetation of Panicum maximum. Preserved_Specimen Armed shrub 4' high; flrs white. Nagata, K.M. 4466 Oahu BISH 1998-04-03
23 Solanum torvum Jarrett Int. School, Palolo Valley small garden plots Preserved_Specimen Kobayashi, W. Oahu BISH 1986-07-10
24 Solanum torvum residence of Harold Anderson, Pearl City Preserved_Specimen suckering shrub to ~2.5 m Fay, J.J. 255 Oahu BISH 1974-12-01
25 Solanum torvum along Mahaiula St. Waimanalo, Koolaupoko Preserved_Specimen armed shrub 2 m. Flowers white. Leaves generally unarmed Nagata, K.M. 3599 Oahu BISH 1987-02-15
26 Solanum torvum Happy Valley, Wailuku, Maui, Iao Stream along banks Preserved_Specimen shrubby herb, flowers white, star-shaped, 1 diameter, stamens yellow, fruit green and 1/2 in diameter. Leaves not prickly, stems with scattered prickles Korte, K.H. Maui BISH 1965-03-16
27 Solanum torvum Ala Wai Community Gardens, end of University Ave Preserved_Specimen large shrub ~6' tall and about as wide. Flowers and fruits in various stages Mayeda, C.S. 27 Oahu BISH 1990-12-17
28 Solanum torvum West Maui, Wailuku, by cemetery at Waiehu Preserved_Specimen Corolla white Wagner, W.L. 5812 Maui BISH 1988-03-04
29 Solanum torvum Hana, alo ng Olopawa road to cinder pit Preserved_Specimen Shrub 3 meters ht with purple flowers and green fruit Perlman, S. 22929 Maui BISH 2012-06-21
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