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Solanum opacum

A.Braun & C.D.Bouché (1853)

This name is accepted

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

Description

Key Characters:

Growth Form: Annual or short-lived sprawling to erect perennial herbs to 1 m tall, subwoody and branching at base.

Stems: Stems spreading to decumbent, terete (cylindrical) or sometimes slightly ridged, green to yellow–green, older stems greenish–grey, not or occasionally somewhat hollow, new growth densely to sparsely pubescent with simple, antrorse, uniseriate, translucent, eglandular or sometimes glandular trichomes, these 4–6–celled, 0.5–1 mm long, older stems glabrescent.

Roots:

Leaves: Leaves simple. Alternate. Blades elliptic to slightly ovate, very variable in size, membranous, green, concolorous, without smell, 1.5–8.0(–17) cm long, 1–4 –(9) cm wide. Apex acute to acuminate. Base cuneate, decurrent on the petiole. Upper surfaces glabrous or sparsely and evenly pubescent with simple uniseriate ca. 4–celled trichomes to 0.5 mm long; lower surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent with simple uniseriate trichomes along the veins. Margins entire or shallowly toothed, if present the teeth acute. Mian veins 3–8 pairs, not prominent. Petioles 0.5–3 cm long, sparsely pubescent with antrorse simple uniseriate trichomes like those of the stems. Stipules absent.

Flowers: Flowers in inflorescences 1–2 cm long, internodal, unbranched but very rarely furcate, umbelliform to sub–umbelliform, with 3–7 flowers clustered near the tip of the rhachis, sparsely pubescent with antrorse simple uniseriate 3–4-celled trichomes like those of the stems; peduncle 1–3 cm long, straight and stout. Flowers bisexual (perfect), 5-merous. Pedicels 0.4–0.8 cm long, < 0.3 mm in diameter at the base, ca. 0.3 mm in diameter at the apex, filiform, nodding, pubescent like the peduncle, articulated at the base; pedicel scars clustered near the tip of the rhachis, often the lowest flower ca. 0.5 mm spaced from the rest. Calyx tube 1–2 mm long, conical, the lobes often unequal, the lateral two largest 1–1.2 mm long, 0.5–0.6 mm wide, the top and lowermost 0.4–1.0 mm long, 0.3–0.5 mm wide, long triangular often with a rounded tip, glabrous or sparsely pubescent with antrorse simple uniseriate trichomes ca. 0.5 mm long. Corolla 6–10 mm in diameter, white or white with a purplish tinge, stellate, lobed ca. ½ way to the base, the lobes 3.0–4.2 mm long, 1.0–1.2 mm wide, spreading to reflexed, densely papillate on tips and margins. Buds ellipsoid, the corolla strongly exserted from the calyx tube long before anthesis. Stamens equal; filament tube < 0.1 mm long; free portion of the filaments 0.5–1.0 (–1.5) mm long, glabrous or adaxially pubescent with tangled simple uniseriate trichomes; anthers 1.2–1.6 mm long, 0.7–1.0 mm wide, ellipsoid, yellow, somewhat sagittate at the base, poricidal at the tips, the pores lengthening to slits with age and drying. Ovary superior, rounded, glabrous; style 3–4 mm long, strongly curved in the distal ¼, densely pubescent with simple uniseriate trichomes 0.2–0.5 mm long, these tangled in the basal ½ to 2/3 of the length, not exserted beyond anthers and only the stigma visible outside the anther cone; stigma capitate, the surfaces minutely papillate.

Fruit: Globose berry; 4–10 mm in diameter; green or bluish–black at maturity; the pericarp thin; matte; fruiting pedicels 0.7–1.5 cm long; ca. 0.5 mm in diameter at the base and the apex; erect or spreading; becoming yellow; falling with the mature fruits; not persistent; fruiting calyx lobes not accrescent; the tube less than 1 mm long; the lobes 1.2–1.7 mm long; appressed to the basal quarter of the berry; occasionally somewhat spreading; never strongly reflexed. Stone cells (0–)2(–4) per berry; >0.5 mm in diameter; brown. Seeds 50–100 per berry; 1.2–2.2 mm long; 0.7–1.8 mm wide; flattened reniform; pale yellowish–tan; the surfaces minutely pitted; thin and the embryo clearly visible; seed coat cells rectangular to pentagonal in outline.

Ploidy: 2n = 6x=72

Habitat: Grows in disturbed areas; along roadsides and field edges.

Elevation Range:

Historical Distribution

Uses and Culture

USES

Natural History

Statewide Status

Indigenous

Island Status

Mokupāpapa (Kure atoll) Indigenous
Ni'ihau(Incl. Lehua) Indigenous
Kaua'i Indigenous
Manawai (Pearl & Hermes Atoll) Indigenous
O'ahu Indigenous
Kapou(Lisianski Island) Indigenous
Molokai Indigenous
Kamole(Laysan Island) Indigenous
Lana'i Indigenous
Kaho'olawe Indigenous
Maui Indigenous
Hawai'i Indigenous
Nihoa Indigenous

Dispersal Agents


Pollinators

Bibliography

Name Published In: Index Seminum (B, Berolinensis) 1853: 18 (1853)

Other References

Särkinen et al. 2018:112 (PH, N, K, O, DESCR, KEY, an indigenous sp. found across the Pacific); Wagner, Herbst & Lorence 2005– (Kl, WM, H; accessed Aug 2022); Faccenda, Arthur, et al. 2025:215 (Ku, Li, Kl, Le, Ni, Mo, L, Ka, KEY); Caum 62 BISH (N†, 1923); Note: Kl added, based on BISH spms. (E.L. Caum 15, R. Daehler 12, D. Herbst 6210)

Occurrences

SNo. Scientific Name Locality Habitat Basis of Record Description Recorded By Record Number Island Source Date
1 Solanum opacum Waimea District; Kokee State Park, Waineke Swamp along Mohihi Rd., ca 0.5 mi. E of Hwy.550; marshy area with mixed mesophytic forest around perimeter Preserved_Specimen Annual herb 50 cm tall. Corolla white tinged with purple. Ripe fruits black. Lorence, D.H. 5751 Kauai BISH 1988-01-28
2 Solanum opacum Green Island Occasional weed throughout the island, but most common near the LORAN buildings. Preserved_Specimen Herbst, D.R. 6262 Kure Atoll BISH 1979-01-04
3 Solanum opacum Kaemi Islet Preserved_Specimen Kepler, A.K. 61 Maui BISH 1982-06-18
4 Solanum opacum Nuuanu Pali Trail Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7376 Oahu BISH 1926-11-20
5 Solanum opacum Base of Polihale Ridge In beach sand beside rocks. Preserved_Specimen Corn, C. Kauai BISH 1977-09-24
6 Solanum opacum Kure Island Central, open plain. Preserved_Specimen Clay, H.F. Kure Atoll BISH 1959-10-03
7 Solanum opacum Spreckelsville Rare, along cane haul roads. Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4454 Maui BISH 1997-05-14
8 Solanum opacum Nihoa Preserved_Specimen Height ca 25 cm. Flowers white with purple streak; fruits most common red-orange, some pale red others black Caum, E.L. 62 Nihoa BISH 1923-06-17
9 Solanum opacum Kalena, Waianae, Aleurites Forest Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7439 Oahu BISH 1934-09-30
10 Solanum opacum Mahana Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 176 Lanai BISH 1913-10-01
11 Solanum opacum Wailau Valley near shore Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 7377 Molokai BISH 1928-08-05
12 Solanum opacum Kapapa, Oahu. On S side Preserved_Specimen Rare. A few plants on south side. Starr, F. 5041846 Oahu BISH 2005-04-18
13 Solanum opacum East Maui, Hana Preserved_Specimen white flower, yellow center. Height 1 m Handy, E.S. 3322 Maui BISH 1933-06-15
14 Solanum opacum Nihoa Preserved_Specimen Height ca 25 cm. Flowers white with purple streak; fruits most common red-orange, some pale red others black Caum, E.L. 62 Nihoa BISH 1923-06-17
15 Solanum opacum Nihoa Preserved_Specimen Height ca 25 cm. Flowers white with purple streak; fruits most common red-orange, some pale red others black Caum, E.L. 62 Nihoa BISH 1923-06-17
16 Solanum opacum Barbers Point coral plain, near beach Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1937-08-08
17 Solanum opacum Lanai Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. 298 Lanai BISH 1913-10-01
18 Solanum opacum Nihoa Preserved_Specimen Height ca 25 cm. Flowers white with purple streak; fruits most common red-orange, some pale red others black Caum, E.L. 62 Nihoa BISH 1923-06-17
19 Solanum opacum Kalue, below Kaone Preserved_Specimen 1' high, white petals; Fagerlund, G.O. 552 Hawaii BISH 1943-05-14
20 Solanum opacum Lualualei Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1927 Oahu BISH 1919-07-01
21 Solanum opacum Kanehoa, along main ridge; 20' below top Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 117 Oahu BISH 1931-03-22
22 Solanum opacum Kaholuamanoa, above Waimea Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2867 Kauai BISH 1895-09-10
23 Solanum opacum unknown Preserved_Specimen BISH
24 Solanum opacum Makalua Preserved_Specimen Suehiro, A. 256 Oahu BISH 1931-11-15
25 Solanum opacum Kure Atoll Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 1897 Kure Atoll BISH 1961-09-12
26 Solanum opacum Laie, CCH side of Chemistry Building Preserved_Specimen Luke, K. 51 Oahu BISH 1960-12-05
27 Solanum opacum Kualoa Pasture Preserved_Specimen Board of Agriculture and Forestry 3001 Oahu BISH
28 Solanum opacum West Maui, Hulu Island, Kahakuloa Preserved_Specimen Kepler, A.K. 38 Maui BISH 1981-08-20
29 Solanum opacum Kealia trail Preserved_Specimen Bennett, T. 253 Oahu BISH 1982-03-25
30 Solanum opacum Spreckelsville. Rare, along cane haul roads Ca. 9m Preserved_Specimen Nagata, K.M. 4454 Maui BISH 1997-05-14
31 Solanum opacum Kaholuamanoa, above Waimea Preserved_Specimen Heller, A.A. 2867 Kauai BISH 1895-09-10
32 Solanum opacum Laie; West from Hukilau Grounds Preserved_Specimen Au, R. 8 Oahu BISH 1960-10-17
33 Solanum opacum Lualualei, near the beach Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. 1927 Oahu BISH 1914-07-01
34 Solanum opacum Roadside at Albert H.Azevedo Field, jct. of Hihimanu St. and Kalanianaole Hwy. in Waimanalo Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 4817 Oahu BISH 1983-06-04
35 Solanum opacum Mokalii Islet, Kualoa Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 13577 Oahu BISH 1937-01-31
36 Solanum opacum Waianae Mts., gulch below Palikea Preserved_Specimen Cowan, R.S. 629 Oahu BISH 1947-06-15
37 Solanum opacum vicinity of Moaula, in grassland Grassland Preserved_Specimen Char, W.P. 78.018 Kahoolawe BISH 1978-11-22
38 Solanum opacum Beach, near Koko Head Preserved_Specimen Hume, E.P. 192 Oahu BISH 1931-04-27
39 Solanum opacum Kaula Rock Preserved_Specimen Caum, E.L. 15 Kaula Rock BISH 1932-08-18
40 Solanum opacum Maui Preserved_Specimen Hillebrand, W.B. Maui BISH
41 Solanum opacum Palolo Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Oahu BISH 1912-01-01
42 Solanum opacum Honolulu, grounds of Bishop Museum Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1938-02-02
43 Solanum opacum Moku Manu, larger islet or southwest islet Preserved_Specimen Neal, M.C. Oahu BISH 1937-06-18
44 Solanum opacum Kaali Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Niihau BISH 1912-01-01
45 Solanum opacum Koolaulau Mts. between Puualua and Kaipaupau Preserved_Specimen Forbes, C.N. Oahu BISH 1908-11-14
46 Solanum opacum Honolulu Preserved_Specimen Pukui, M.K. Oahu BISH 1931-01-01
47 Solanum opacum Manoa Valley Woods Preserved_Specimen Sideris, J. Oahu BISH 1931-11-16
48 Solanum opacum Mokuaeae Isl. Preserved_Specimen Kridler, E. Kauai BISH
49 Solanum opacum Ke Kuaaina, G.C.Munro's garden of native Hawaiian plants, Diamond Head Preserved_Specimen Munro, G.C. Oahu BISH 1962-02-22
50 Solanum opacum Roadside at Kuapa Pond, Maunalua Preserved_Specimen Forbes, A. Oahu BISH 1935-05-09
51 Solanum opacum Popoia, small island near Kailua Preserved_Specimen Stokes, J.F.G. Oahu BISH 1915-11-01
52 Solanum opacum Below Puu Kapu dry ridge Preserved_Specimen Christophersen, E. 1548 Oahu BISH 1931-02-12
53 Solanum opacum Southeast Island; southern area of the eastern part with Tribulus, Boerhavia and Setaria Preserved_Specimen Herb with white flowers and black fruit Herbst, D.R. 6477 Pearl & Hermes Atoll BISH 1980-07-07
54 Solanum opacum Mokuauia Island, Laie hole in calcareous sandstone Preserved_Specimen Fosberg, F.R. 14164 Oahu BISH 1937-07-04
55 Solanum opacum Pauoa Valley Preserved_Specimen 665 Oahu BISH 1908-11-04
56 Solanum opacum unknown Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 760 BISH 1864-01-01
57 Solanum opacum Waimea Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. 864 Kauai BISH 1909-02-01
58 Solanum opacum Alau Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5040519 Maui BISH 2005-04-05
59 Solanum opacum Kaula Rock Preserved_Specimen Daehler, R. 12 Kaula Rock BISH 1976-01-21
60 Solanum opacum Halemanu Preserved_Specimen Rock, J.F.C. Kauai BISH 1909-02-14
61 Solanum opacum West Maui Preserved_Specimen Mann, H. 305 Maui BISH 1864-01-01
62 Solanum opacum unknown Preserved_Specimen BISH
63 Solanum opacum Former Naval Air Station Barbers Point, Northern Trap & Skeet Range On edge of burnt Leucaena shrubland. With Cenchrus ciliaris, Eragrostis pectinacea (779288), Malva parviflora (779289), Sida spinosa (779290), and Euphorbia hirta (779292). Preserved_Specimen BISH staff 71 Oahu BISH 2021-05-11
64 Solanum opacum Nonopapa Rocky edge of dried salty inlet Preserved_Specimen 1 m shrub, fl. white St.John, H. 22763 Niihau BISH 1947-08-13
65 Solanum opacum above Makapuu Beach cliffs Preserved_Specimen Wagner, W.L. 5313 Oahu BISH 1984-03-01
66 Solanum opacum Southeastern Island On the west side of the islands in sandy soil. Preserved_Specimen Herbaceous; 0.2-0.3 m tall. Conant, S. 150 Pearl & Hermes Atoll BISH 1983-04-21
67 Solanum opacum Laie, back of W.D.3 at BYU-H campus sandy, rocky; roadsides and waste places Preserved_Specimen Herb 1-3' high, fruit are black, juicy edible berries Ziegelbauer, K. 21 Oahu BISH 1975-02-06
68 Solanum opacum Waianae, Kalena Aleurites Forest. Preserved_Specimen Grant, M.L. 7433 Oahu BISH 1934-09-30
69 Solanum opacum LEHUA Waimea District Secondary tuff crater. Lowland dry shrubland/herb land. W.Pluchea carolinensis, P. indica, Portulaca oleracea, Solanum americanum, Cenchrus ciliaris. Preserved_Specimen short-lived perennial herb of around 50 cm in height with white or purple tinged corolla and glossy black berries, occasional along the flatter zones of the inner crescent especially after rains Wood, K.R. 9870 Kauai BISH 2002-07-07
70 Solanum opacum Poopoo island, small island 100 yards off southern coast vegetation consisting of native shrub; sida; native herbs; Lipochaeta lavarum, L.heterophylla, Portulaca villosa; native grasses; Panicum spp. Heteropogon contortus; exotic grasses: Chloris, Cenchrus ciliaris Preserved_Specimen Higashino, P.K. 9745 Lanai BISH 1982-04-05
71 Solanum opacum Lehua Rock; small, cresent-shaped cinder cone island (N of Niihau) composed of volcanic tuff; N slope of island scattered to dense vegetation of shrubs (Pluchea spp.) and herbs (Jacquemontia, Ageratum, Sicyos, and grasses) Preserved_Specimen annual herb, corolla white, anthers yellow, fruits green Lorence, D.H. 7142 Lehua Rock BISH 1992-01-10
72 Solanum opacum Northwestern Hawaiian Islands In partially shaded sandy soil with Chenopodium near a Casuarina tree. Preserved_Specimen This is the only plant seen; no ripe fruit or flowers collected.An upright herb. Conant, S. 175 Laysan Island BISH 1983-07-25
73 Solanum opacum Lisianski Island Growing in both the Eragrostis and the Ipomoea - Tribulus associations. Preserved_Specimen Common herb with white flowers and black fruit. Herbst, D.R. 6499 Lisianski Island BISH 1980-07-11
74 Solanum opacum Kaalualu Bay near South Point under and around bushes and at edges of pasture areas Preserved_Specimen Occasional herb with white flowers and black fruits Whistler, W.A. 45 Hawaii BISH 1972-04-06
75 Solanum opacum Moku Mana (N) Scattered plants on north islet. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 504066 Maui BISH 2005-04-06
76 Solanum opacum Mokeehia, offshore islet, S of Puu Koae, Kahakuloa Chenopodium oahuense, Heliotropium curassavicum, Chamaesyce celastroides, Lycium sandwicense, Osteomeles anthyllidifolia, Panicum fauriei, Sesuvium portulacastrum, Sida fallax Preserved_Specimen shrub; spreading stems prostrate or short erect, green; corolla white Wood, K.R. 11179 Maui BISH 2005-04-04
77 Solanum opacum 150 yards from east shore Low, level sandy area, nearly lowest part of interior. Preserved_Specimen Herb, height +/- 0.4 m. No flower. Fruit small, light green. Associated species: Ipomoea indica, Boerhavia, scattered Eragrostis, Scaevola nearby. One clump only. Shelton, P.C. 407 Lisianski Island BISH 1966-06-17
78 Solanum opacum Manele Grade, lower part pineapple fields Preserved_Specimen weed Stone, B.C. 865 Lanai BISH 1955-07-02
79 Solanum opacum Kuapa Cliffs side of cliffs Preserved_Specimen herb Brown, F.B.H. 1311 Oahu BISH 1924-08-23
80 Solanum opacum Laie, BYU-H sewage plant loam Preserved_Specimen small stem, leaves entire, ovate in shape. Leafstalk .5-1 long; small whitish flowers with 5 petals; fruit 3-5 in clusters, black in color Tiu, C. 33 Oahu BISH 1975-02-21
81 Solanum opacum Mapulehu Valley side of gulch Preserved_Specimen St.John, H. 12772 Molokai BISH 1932-12-28
82 Solanum opacum Laie sandy loam Preserved_Specimen shrub; fruit black or dark purple Kamae, K.K. 47 Oahu BISH 1967-05-10
83 Solanum opacum Mokulua, north islet, Kailua rock ledges on steep slope Preserved_Specimen fls. white, fruit turning black Fosberg, F.R. 12938 Oahu BISH 1936-02-16
84 Solanum opacum Kure Atoll. Green Island Scattered throughout island in openings. Occasionally on beach. Preserved_Specimen Lamoureux, C.H. 2789 Kure Atoll BISH 1964-08-14
85 Solanum opacum Waiahole Beach Park north of Waikane In tall grass, roadside of Kamehameha Hwy on ocean. Preserved_Specimen Flowers white (pale lilac); fruit black. Iltis, H.H. 294 Oahu BISH 1967-07-08
86 Solanum opacum Moku Manu, north islet, Kaneohe guano covered basaltic rocks Preserved_Specimen ripe fruit black Fosberg, F.R. 14098 Oahu BISH 1937-06-18
87 Solanum opacum South Kohala District. Collected east of Queen Kaahumanu Highway between Mauna Lani Drive and Puako turn off Dry area with scant vegetation; open grassland with scattered Prosopis pallida. Preserved_Specimen Funk, E.J. Hawaii BISH 1991-02-04
88 Solanum opacum Pahala, Kau roadside Preserved_Specimen Degener, O. 35908 Hawaii BISH 1980-01-01
89 Solanum opacum Kaula Rock; southern side soil pockets Preserved_Specimen Occasional Herbst, D.R. 6210 Kaula Rock BISH 1978-08-21
90 Solanum opacum Between Puu Hapapa and Puu Kanehoa, Waianae Mts with Lantana and Asplenium in sunny areas on side of gulch. Overstory of Pisonia Preserved_Specimen Somewhat decumbent shrub. Fruits dull black Nagata, K.M. 1021 Oahu BISH 1972-05-31
91 Solanum opacum Mokolii Scattered plants. Preserved_Specimen Starr, F. 5041942 Oahu BISH 2005-04-19
92 Solanum opacum in interior of island midway between pond and tower at edge of Cynodon field closest to tower with Cynodon, Portulaca, Setaria, Boerhavia Preserved_Specimen Herb 0.6 m tall with white flowers Young, A.L. 112 Pearl & Hermes Atoll BISH 1964-08-18
93 Solanum opacum Laie, BYU-HC loam Preserved_Specimen 1-2' high, small stem, leaves entire, ovate in shape. Small whitish flowers with 5 petals, fruits 3-5 in clusters Lee, P. 27 Oahu BISH 1975-03-17
94 Solanum opacum Schofield Road roadside Preserved_Specimen weed Bryan Jr., E.H. Oahu BISH 1929-02-10
95 Solanum opacum Behind Donkey Beach, between Kealia and Anahola marshy ground Preserved_Specimen Herb to 60 cm tall. Stem green, purplish at nodes. Leaves with pale vein, somewhat glossy below. Flowers: petals white, the flower with green center star; anthers bright yellow. Some teeth on stems have 2 apical hairs. Hume, L. 361 Kauai BISH 1988-10-23
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