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Solanum linnaeanum

Hepper & P.-M.L.Jaeger (1986)

This name is accepted

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

apple of sodom, pōpolo kīkānia, thorny pōpolo, yellow-fruited pöpolo, yellow-fruited pōpolo

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Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Shrubs up to 1 m tall and in diameter, most parts armed with prominent, stout, nearly straight, straw–colored prickles up to 15 mm long, pubescent with stellate hairs, and also with minute, simple, glandular hairs, with intraxylary phloem.

Stems:

Roots: Fibrous root system.

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades ovate–elliptic in outline, ca. 8 cm long and 6 cm wide. Apex acute or rounded. Base truncate to subcordate, oblique. Prominent, stout, nearly straight, straw–colored prickles up to 15 mm long, prickles sparse on upper leaf surface, dense on lower surface, pubescent with stellate hairs, and also with minute, simple, glandular hairs. Margins deeply pinnately lobed, sinuses rounded, reaching ¾ to midrib, often with 5–7 major lobes. Petioles 1–2 cm long. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers few to 6 in stout racemose cymes from an internodal position, lower flower sometimes solitary, peduncles short or absent, pedicels ca. 1 cm long. Lower flowers bisexual (perfect), upper ones staminate, actinomorphic, prickly. Calyx densely prickly, the tube ca. 5 mm long, the lobes triangular, 2–3 mm long. Corolla purplish blue, rotate–stellate, ca. 2 cm in diameter, the lobes acute. Stamens (4)5, inserted near base of corolla tube; filaments 1–2 mm long; anthers erect, tapered above, 5–6 mm long, opening by terminal pores. Ovary superior, 2(3–4)-carpellate, glabrous or with a few glandular hairs; ovule placentation axile, vestigial in staminate flowers; style 1, up to 1 cm long, sparsely pubescent in lower part, vestigial in staminate flowers; stigma green, capitate.

Fruit: Berries yellow at maturity; dark brown upon drying; firm; mucilaginous; globose; 2–3 cm in diameter; fruiting pedicels thickened and recurved; calyx somewhat enlarged; all parts very prickly. Seeds numerous; pale brown; rounded or obovate; biconvex; 2–3 mm long; seed coat minutely reticulate; embryo curved; submarginal; endosperm present.

Ploidy: 2n = 24

Habitat: Dry pastures; coastal to dry shrubland and dry forest.

Elevation Range: up to 575 m.

Historical Distribution

Images

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Uses and Culture

USES

  • Yes

Natural History

Statewide Status

Naturalized

Island Status

O'ahu Naturalized
Molokai Naturalized
Lana'i Naturalized
Kaho'olawe Naturalized
Maui Naturalized
Hawai'i Naturalized

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Kew Bull. 41(2): 435 (1986)

Other References

Wagner et al. 1990:1271 (O, Mo, L, M, H); Herbarium Pacificum Staff 1998:13 (Ka)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Solanum linnaeanum Pali Hwy and Quarry Rd pasture, under Hibiscus tiliaceus Preserved_Specimen Smith, L.B. 107 Oahu BISH 1976-06-22
2 Solanum linnaeanum Makaha Valley, Waianae Mts Preserved_Specimen shrub ~ 2 m high MacDaniels, L.H. 572 Oahu BISH 1937-01-31
3 Solanum linnaeanum Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 130 Lanai BISH 1914-03-10
4 Solanum linnaeanum Makua, Waianae Preserved_Specimen fr. yellow, rotting brown, fl. lavender, shrub 2 m tall St.John, H. 9944 Oahu BISH 1929-10-20
5 Solanum linnaeanum Mahana, Puu Nana, Kaluakoi dry pasture Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12446 Molokai BISH 1932-12-22
6 Solanum linnaeanum Miki Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 280 Lanai BISH 1928-02-08
7 Solanum linnaeanum Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1090 Oahu BISH 1909-02-05
8 Solanum linnaeanum Kealia trail Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 248 Oahu BISH 1982-03-25
9 Solanum linnaeanum Preserved_Specimen Rémy, J. 451 BISH 1851-01-01
10 Solanum linnaeanum Kolekole Pass, Waianae Range Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 2025 Oahu BISH 1915-02-01
11 Solanum linnaeanum Nuuanu Valley Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1090 Oahu BISH 1909-02-05
12 Solanum linnaeanum Paomai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 307 Lanai BISH 1914-03-10
13 Solanum linnaeanum 6.5 mi down South Point Park Preserved_Specimen Woolford, H.A. Hawaii BISH 1954-12-21
14 Solanum linnaeanum Barber's Point coral plain, near beach Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1937-08-08
15 Solanum linnaeanum Kawaihapai dry pasture Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 9953 Oahu BISH 1935-07-15
16 Solanum linnaeanum Waianae Range, S. end. By Palehua Rd. ~ 1 mile NW of Puu Makakilo dry, grassy pasture Preserved_Specimen shrub, 1 m (stem ~3 cm thick at base) Mäkinen, L. 65430 Oahu BISH 1965-12-19
17 Solanum linnaeanum Central, Along dirt road leading from Ulupalakua to Kihei cattle pasture w/Prosopis and occa. Erythrina Preserved_Specimen A small shrub to 3'. Leaves ovate oblong but deeply divided into irregular lobes. Fruit a large berry , hollow when mature Spence, G. 131 Maui BISH 1972-12-18
18 Solanum linnaeanum E slope of Moaula. Within a soil depression surrounded by Andropogon pertusus dominated grassland. Within a soil depression surrounded by Andropogon pertusus dominated grassland. Preserved_Specimen 3' tall, excellent vigor. Only 2 plants seen. Clarke, G. 414 Kahoolawe BISH 1980-04-25
19 Solanum linnaeanum Nanakuli Forest reserve dry roadside at edge Preserved_Specimen small armed shrub with blue flowers, yellow fruit Herbst, D.R. 674 Oahu BISH 1967-10-23
20 Solanum linnaeanum Kawainui Marsh. In pasture at Pali Hwy and Quarry Rd. Under Hibiscus tiliaceus Preserved_Specimen Smith, L. 107 Oahu BISH 1976-06-22
21 Solanum linnaeanum Waikolu Valley, side of dirt road leading into valley; NE of Puu Luahine pasture; with Sida, Desmodium, Psidium and grasses Preserved_Specimen Thorny shrub to 4'. Leaves lobed. Fruits yellow, large Ishikawa, S. 143 Molokai BISH 1972-08-28
22 Solanum linnaeanum Manele Grade, dry stony hilltop dry stony hilltop Preserved_Specimen Poisonous weed Stone, B.C. 864 Lanai BISH 1955-07-02
23 Solanum linnaeanum Ahihi-Kinau Natural Area Reserve, Kipuka at the head of the trail towards Pohaku Paea from the midstop along Makena-Keoneoio road Pockets of vegetation in a'a lava and at roadside; along roadside and amongst lava. Preserved_Specimen Some pale blue flowers; fruit green mottled. Abbott, I.A. 91.46 Maui BISH 1991-03-06
24 Solanum linnaeanum Kipapa Gulch dry slope Preserved_Specimen 4 feet bush. Hosaka, E.Y. 13 Oahu BISH 1936-03-22
25 Solanum linnaeanum Kawela Bay dry pasture Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7380 Oahu BISH 1933-03-15
26 Solanum linnaeanum Waimalu moist forest, shade Preserved_Specimen herb, ~40 cm Brown, F.B.H. 256 Oahu BISH 1925-12-31
27 Solanum linnaeanum E slope of Moaula. Within a soil depression surrounded by Andropogon pertusus dominated grassland. Within a soil depression surrounded by Andropogon pertusus dominated grassland. Preserved_Specimen 3' tall, excellent vigor. Only 2 plants seen. Clarke, G. 414 Kahoolawe BISH 1980-04-25
28 Solanum linnaeanum Ca. 500 m NE of intersection of roads to LZ-1 and LZ-3, on S side of road Hardpan area, under kiawe. Preserved_Specimen Warren, S. 28 Kahoolawe BISH 1987-04-10
29 Solanum linnaeanum Koko Head, near station in algaroba forest Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. Oahu BISH 1924-11-16
30 Solanum linnaeanum Puuwaawaa; paddock area near the T1/T4 transect junction cattle-trampled ground Preserved_Specimen noxious weed Takeuchi, W.N. 5763 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
31 Solanum linnaeanum Manoa Valley, Honolulu arid pasture Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 202 Oahu BISH 1922-09-24
32 Solanum linnaeanum East Maui, Hana District, SE of Kauiki from Kaihalulu Bay to Ka Iwi O Pele; around foundation of old slaughterhouse costal pasture Preserved_Specimen Corolla purple with darker streaks at center bottom of lobes; stamens dull orange; fruit appears to ripen yellowish-green. Leaves dark green above, pale below. Flynn, T.W. 2548 Maui BISH 1987-10-22
33 Solanum linnaeanum Waianae range, At base of Mt. Kaala, below gate Heavily overgrazed dry shrub-weed community with many spiny shrubs Preserved_Specimen Tree-like shrub 3-6 ft tall, stems 6 cm dia (Wood sample); flowers very pale violet, stellate; plants now fruiting, fruits round, yellow, about 2.5-3 cm diameter van Royen, P. 447 Oahu BISH 1967-08-02
34 Solanum linnaeanum South Point heavily grazed, dry pasture Preserved_Specimen shrub with blue flowers, yellow fruit Herbst, D.R. 5071 Hawaii BISH 1974-10-10
35 Solanum linnaeanum East Maui, 11.5 mi E of Ulupalakua Ranch on Piilani Hwy (Hwy. 31), 1.4 mi W of Manawainui small canyon grazed by cattle Preserved_Specimen flowers purple to blue Wagner, W.L. 4758 Maui BISH 1983-01-14
36 Solanum linnaeanum Kaumalapau Highway, Koele/Keomuku Trail, off of open grass field Preserved_Specimen small, spinny shrub 0.5 m. Leaves ovate-oblong, deeply divided into irregular lobes. Fruit a large yellow berry (tamato-like) Spence, G. 332 Lanai BISH 1973-10-22
37 Solanum linnaeanum Puuwaawaa; paddock area near the T1/T4 transect junction cattle-trampled ground Preserved_Specimen noxious weed Takeuchi, W.N. 5763 Hawaii BISH 1989-05-01
38 Solanum linnaeanum Makaha, Waianae beach Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7327 Oahu BISH 1934-09-01
39 Solanum linnaeanum Honolulu Shrub, dry Algaroba forest Preserved_Specimen no fl., fr. yellow Christophersen, E. 1307 Oahu BISH 1930-04-06
40 Solanum linnaeanum Kaalualu Bay near South Point grazed areas north of bay Preserved_Specimen shrub about .5 m high covered with thorns. Flowers purple, fruit green. Whistler, W.A. 76 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
41 Solanum linnaeanum Kualoa pasture Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH
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