Solanum brevicaule
Solanum brevicaule
Synonyms: Solanum membranaceum, Solanum incamayoense, Solanum ugentii, Solanum brevimucronatum, Solanum spegazzinii, Solanum alandiae, Solanum leptophyes f. gourlayi, Solanum setulosistylum, Solanum coelestispetalum, Solanum bill-hookeri, Solanum sucrense var. brevifoliolum, Solanum huancavelicae, Solanum subandigenum var. camarguense, Solanum calcense var. urubambense, Solanum boliviense subsp. virgultorum, Solanum puberulofructum, Solanum ochoae, Solanum bruecheri, Solanum avilesii, Solanum hoopesii, Solanum anomalocalyx, Solanum gourlayi subsp. pachytrichum, Solanum anomalocalyx var. llallaguanianum, Solanum sawyeri, Solanum pachytrichum, Solanum oplocense, Solanum sparsipilum subsp. calcense, Solanum gourlayi subsp. vidaurrei, Solanum sparsipilum var. llallaguanianum, Solanum virgultorum, Solanum torrecillasense, Solanum mollepujroense, Solanum liriunianum, Solanum leptophyes, Solanum lapazense, Solanum pampasense f. glabrescens, Solanum gourlayi subsp. saltense, Solanum aymaraesense, Solanum tuberosum subsp. sparsipilum, Solanum abancayense, Solanum vidaurrei, Solanum famatinae, Solanum sucrense, Solanum calcense, Solanum hondelmannii, Solanum ruiz-zeballosii, Solanum gourlayi, Solanum sparsipilum, Solanum candelarium, Solanum colominense, Solanum sleumeri, Solanum anomalocalyx var. brachystylum, Solanum anomalocalyx var. murale
Botanical Description
Solanum brevicaule is a herbaceous, tuber-bearing perennial in the family Solanaceae native to the central Andes of Bolivia, Peru and northern Argentina, where it grows in seasonally moist puna grassland, rocky slopes and field margins at elevations of roughly 2000 to 4000 metres. It is part of the Solanum brevicaule complex, a closely related group of wild potatoes that are among the principal wild progenitors of the cultivated potato S. tuberosum. The plant grows 20 to 60 centimetres tall from small, round to oblong underground tubers 1 to 3 centimetres across with white to pale violet skin and flesh. Stems are slender, erect to spreading and slightly hairy. Leaves are pinnately compound with two to four pairs of lateral leaflets and a larger terminal leaflet, with smaller interjected leaflets between, typical of wild potato species. Star-shaped flowers about 2 centimetres across, with five fused pale violet to lilac petals and bright yellow anthers, are borne in branched cymes, followed by small round green berries containing many flattened seeds.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
None Documented
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.