Potato Tree Views
Solanum erianthum is a species of nightshade that is native to southern North America and northern South America.[1] It has been introduced to other parts of the world and has a nearly pantropical distribution.[2] Common names include Potato Tree, Mullein Nightshade (that may also refer to S. donianum),[3] Velvet Nightshade,[4] and Salvadora.[5]
S. erianthum is native to the southernmost parts of the contiguous United States (southern Florida and the Lower Rio Grande Valley of Texas),[9] the Bahamas, Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and northern South America,[1] including the Galápagos Islands.[4] It is believed that Spanish explorers introduced Potato Tree to the Philippines in the 16th century, and from there it spread to Malesia, Australia, and the Asian mainland. It was probably introduced to West Africa from the Caribbean via the Atlantic slave trade. It is not found in most of South America.[10]
The leaves are used in the Philippines to clean grease from dishes. The berries are toxic to humans, causing headache, cramps, and nausea, but are cooked and eaten in Southeast Asia and made into curry in southern India. They are a component of arrow poison in Tropical Asia. Potato Tree is grown as an ornamental in the Caribbean and is an acceptable shade plant for shade-grown coffee.[10]
Solanum erianthum is a species of nightshade that is native to southern North America and northern South America.[1] It has been introduced to other parts of the world and has a nearly pantropical distribution.[2] Common names include Potato Tree, Mullein Nightshade (that may also refer to S. donianum),[3] Velvet Nightshade,[4] and Salvadora.[5]
Potato Tree Images
