Solanum wrightii
Blue potato tree, Brazilian potato tree
Description
Blue potato tree is a tree, sometimes armed with straight prickles; it can grow up to 12 meters tall.
BARK: light grey, fissured bark and bears sharp, curved thorns. Herbaceous branch tips are pubescent (covered in soft hairs).
LEAVES: deeply lobed, hairy leaves are broadly ovate and have wavy leaf margin (30 cm long, 15 - 20 cm wide). There are long, straight thorns on the bottom side of the midrib and petiole.
FLOWERS: five-lobed, star-shaped flowers (6.5 - 7.5 cm wide) have long, bright yellow anthers which are pollen-bearing structures. Petals are initially dark purple, but fade to light purple and then white over several days. Bisexual or male flowers occur in small tri-colored clusters known as racemes.
FRUITS: Round, fleshy fruits are known as berries, red sometimes remaining green (3 - 4 cm wide).
Uses
Agroforestry: can be grown to provide shade in coffee plantations.
An ornamental tree.
Ecology
Blue potato tree is native to South America. The tree is grown in both tropical and subtropical regions. A large shrub with flowers that open with a purple color and throughout the day fade to a pale lavender. In Kampala, Blue potato tree can be found alongMackenzie close, Old Kira Road, Ridgeway drive among other places.
Management
Fast growing.
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