Solanum basendopogon
n=12 (Anderson 38, CONN)
Anderson, G. J. 1975. Chromosome numbers in Solanum. In. A. Löve [ed.], IOPB chromosome number reports XLVIII. Taxon 24: 370.
Solanum basendopogon is found among shrubs on rocky slopes and near old stone fences in Peru, from Dept. La Libertad in the north to Dept. Moquegua in the south, 1100-3800 m.
Solanum basendopogon is a member of section Basarthrum in the Potato clade sensu Weese and Bohs (2007). The phylogenetic position as a member of the section has been supported with molecular data (Blanca et al., 2007). AFLP data of Prohens et al. (2006) show that S. basendopogon is sister to S. canense or in a grade with S. canense that is sister to the rest of sect. Basarthrum. Blanca et al. (2007) place S. basendopogon as sister to S. catilliflorum, S. perlongistylum, and one accession of S. muricatum (the pepino) in a clade that is sister to the rest of sect. Basarthrum. Blanca et al. (2007) posit that genetic recombination has occurred frequently among the species of sect. Basarthrum, confounding the interpretation of evolutionary relationships.
Anderson, G. J. 1975. Chromosome numbers in Solanum. In. A. Löve [ed.], IOPB chromosome number reports XLVIII. Taxon 24: 367-372.
Anderson, G. J. 1977. The variation and evolution of selected species of Solanum section Basarthrum (Solanaceae). II. Brittonia 29: 116-128.
Blanca, J. M., J. Prohens, G. J. Anderson, E. Zuriaga, J. Cañizares, and F. Nuez. 2007. AFLP and DNA sequence variation in an Andean domesticate, pepino (Solanum muricatum, Solanaceae): implications for evolution and domestication. American Journal of Botany 94: 1219-1229.
Correll, D. S. 1962. The potato and its wild relatives. Texas Research Foundation, Renner, TX.
Prohens, J., G. J. Anderson, J. M. Blanca, J. Cañizares, E. Zuriaga, and F. Nuez. 2006. The implications of AFLP data for the systematics of the wild species of Solanum section Basarthrum. Systematic Botany 31: 208-216.
Solanum basendopogon “…can be distinguished from the other members of series Caripensia and from the taxa in the closely allied series, Suaveolentia, by its compound inflorescence, large number of flowers, and adaxially pubescent corolla. In vegetative features, S. basendopogon is most similar to S. trachycarpum and to the S. caripense – S. heiseri complex. It can be distinguished from the former, which it resembles in habit, by the usually compound leaves with denser pubescence, and branched inflorescences bearing numerous flowers … . These features plus the habit … and leaf (or terminal leaflet) shape (more ovate) serve to distinguish S. basendopogon from the S. caripense – S. heiseri complex.” (Anderson, 1977). The inflorescence of S. basendopogon is most similar to that of S. taeniotrichum; however, this latter species occurs in Costa Rica (vs. Peru), has a greater number of leaflets, has a climbing vine-like habit, and does not have the 2-celled “bayonet” hairs characteristic of S. basendopogon (Anderson, 1977; Seithe & Anderson, 1982)
Correll (1962) recognized two varieties. The type variety, known only from the type collection, has simple, lanceolate leaves with acuminate apices. Solanum basendopogon forma obtusum was defined as occasionally having 3-foliate leaves that are ovate-elliptic with broadly obtuse to rounded apices.