Solanum valdiviense
Not known
Solanum valdiviense is found in Nothofagus forests and woods in southern Chile and adjacent Argentina, from 100-2000 m. The altitudinal range of S. valdiviense is from almost sea level to the high Andes and it is apparently relatively common.
Solanum valdiviense is a member of the Dulcamaroid clade (sensu Weese & Bohs, 2007) based on morphology (semi-scandent habit, leaves that are occasionally lobed, pedicels inserted into small sleeves), but has not yet been included in molecular analyses.
Muñoz-Pizarro, C. 1966. Sinopsis de la flora chilena: claves para la identificación de familias y generos.
Ediciones de la Universidad de Chile, Santiago.
Weese, T.L. & L. Bohs 2007. A Three-Gene Phylogeny of the Genus Solanum (Solanaceae)
Syst. Bot. 32(2): 445-463.
Knapp, S. 2008. A revision of the Solanum havanense species group (section Geminata (G. Don) Walp. pro parte) and new taxonomic additions to the Geminata clade (Solanum: Solanaceae).
Ann. Missouri Bot. Gard.
Leaf shape in Solanum valdiviense is incredibly variable, and ranges from lanceolate and sometimes basally lobed on non-reproductive (and some reproductive) shoots, to minute and almost orbicular or elliptic on reproductive shoots. Long sucker shoots invariably have lanceolate leaves, but reproductive shoots may have either type. Leaves of juvenile shoots are sometimes lobed at the base. This variability has led to the relatively many synonyms for this species of quite restricted range; for example, R.A. Philippi described S. puberulum on the basis of its leaf shape and pubescence. Specimens identified as S. krauseanum are particularly weak and thin specimens, and the leaves are membranous and more ovate than is usual. The stems, however, have the characteristic wings and pubescence of S. valdiviense.
The inflorescence in S. valdiviense is borne terminally on short axillary shoots (occasionally leaf opposed or the shoot much reduced), a character shared with the otherwise very different S. inodorum of southeastern Brazil. In many specimens, the leaves of the short shoots are smaller and more congested than those of the main stems, but not always. Rarely does the short shoot lack well-developed leaves; this leads to the plant having a bushy appearance. Pubescence is also quite variable in S. valdiviense, varying from nearly absent to dense. This variation does not seem to have an ecological basis, and is quite common in the Dulcamaroid clade in general. Flower color in S. valdiviense also varies from white to purple, again a common characteristic in the Dulcamaroid clade. The strongly reflexed petals are mentioned often on labels, and appear to be characteristic of S. valdiviense.
Solanum valdiviense could be confused with another species of the Dulcamaroid clade occurring in coastal Chile, S. alphonsei. Solanum alphonsei has consistently lobed leaves that are more deltoid in outline, open, many-branched inflorescences and is usually a vine, rather than a lax shrub.
Smaller leaved individuals of S. valdiviense have been called S. evonymoides J. Rémy, but that epithet is pre-occupied by S. evonymoides Sendtn., a member of the Geminata clade from southeastern Brazil (see Knapp, 2008). No specimens have been traced that can be definitively linked with Rémy’s protologue.
Solanum cryptopodium, a name attributed to F. Philippi in indices, is a spelling mistake for S. cyrtopodium Dunal; he did not cite a type and it is clear he was not intending a new name. O. Kuntze identified Poeppig 63 [714] as “Solanum quadrifidum” a name he never published (see P000369231).