Solanum aphyodendron
Widely distributed in second growth at middle to high elevations, 800 to 2500 m, from Mexico to northern Bolivia
Solanum aphyodendron is a member of the Solanum nudum species group in the Geminata clade (Knapp, 2002; Bohs, 2005).
Knapp, S. 1986. Reproductive biology of Solanum section Geminata in a Costa Rican cloud forest.
Pp. 253-263 in Solanaceae: biology and systematics, ed. W. G. D’Arcy. New York: Columbia University Press.
Knapp, S. 2002. Solanum section Geminata (G. Don) Walpers (Solanaceae).
Flora Neotropica 84: 1-405.
Bohs, L. 2005. Major clades in Solanum based on ndhF sequences.
Pp. 27-49 in R. C. Keating, V. C. Hollowell, & T. B. Croat (eds.), A festschrift for William G. D’Arcy: the legacy of a taxonomist. Monographs in Systematic Botany from the Missouri Botanical Garden, Vol. 104. Missouri Botanical Garden Press, St. Louis.
Solanum aphyodendron is most similar and probably closely related to S. trichoneuron of southern Bolivia and Argentina, from which it differs in its larger flowers, shorter inflorescences, and somewhat larger berries. Solanum aphyodendron is a common species of roadsides throughout Central America and northern South America and it often forms large monospecific stands in open areas. Material from Central America, Colombia and Venezuela is quite uniform. Variability in pubescence increases in Peruvian and Bolivian specimens, with some specimens having shorter trichomes on the calyx lobes and denser tufts of trichomes in the vein axils.
In Monteverde de Puntarenas, Costa Rica, Solanum aphyodendron blooms at irregular intervals throughout the year (Knapp, 1986a). Data from herbarium specimens and observations of this species in Panama and Ecuador indicate that its flowering behavior is very much the same throughout its range. At Monteverde, S. aphyodendron is pollinated by meliponine bees, primarily by Melipona fasciata (Knapp, 1986a). The occurrence of large monospecific stands of S. aphyodendron combined with the foraging behavior of Melipona produces high fruit set in this species. The fruits are eaten by small frugivorous bats and disappear soon after they become ripe.
Solanum aphyodendron has long been confused with S. nudum, to which it is somewhat closely related, but differs in habitat, flower size and pubescence of flower parts, and in the color and texture of the bark of older stems. Solanum nudum occurs in low elevation thickets, sometimes on beach strands, and has dark brown bark and glabrous, globose buds. The bark color remains consistent even on herbarium sheets, with S. aphyodendron being pale white or greenish and S. nudum being dark brown or black.