Solanum nelsonii

Solanum nelsonii

Solanum nelsonii is a species of the genus of the nightshade (Solanum ) in the nightshade family (Solanaceae ). From the endemic Hawaiian species only ten populations are known.

Description

Solanum nelsonii is usually achieved a creeping shrub to shrub stature heights of up to 1 meter and plant diameter of up to 1.5 meters. The young shoots and leaves have a strong pubescence and are thornless. The alternate arranged leaves are gray - green, entire and ovate.

The hermaphroditic, flowers have radial symmetry intergrown, white petals are that are lavender to pale - purple heather. Unusually for the genre are the sigmoid, purple stamens, which may indicate a different pollinator than the usual bees.

One to four round, with ripe black berries usually standing together and contain a high number of seeds.

Habitat and Occurrence

The typical habitat is located near the sea coast to an altitude of 150 meters above sea level, the floor is made of crushed coral or sand. Currently, only ten populations with a total of less than 300 plants are known. The main deposits are located on the islands of Hawaii, Maui, Molokai and Niihau. In addition, Solanum nelsonii is also found on the island of Nihoa and the Pearl and Hermes Atoll. On the islands of Oahu, Kauai, Laysan and Midway Islands, the kind now considered extinct since it was displaced by introduced plant species or coastal development.