 Line drawing of branch with flowers by M. Szent Ivany, J. Adelaide Bot. Gards 4 (1981). |
 Distribution map generated from Australia's Virtual Herbarium. For a more up to date map visit the AVH site through your local herbarium. |
Synonymy
Solanum adenophorum F. Muell., Fragm. Phytogr. Austral. 2: 162 (1861)
S. adenophorum var. typicum Domin, Biblioth. Bot. 89: 586 (1929), nom. illeg.
T: Between the Dawson and Mackenzie Rivers, Qld, 17–20 Nov. 1856, F. Mueller s.n.; holo: MEL 11775; iso: K, TCD.
Description
Modified after Bean (2004) - changed circumscription excludes NSW and VIC material of Symon (1981), now considered to be S. eremophilum (q.v.).
Herbaceous perennial with annual stems to 40 cm, green, pubescent with glandular hairs, stellate hairs lacking; prickles 1–7 mm long, on stems, petiole, leaves, peduncles and calyx.
Leaves ovate to broadly ovate; lamina 3–6 cm long, 2–4 cm wide, concolorous, deeply lobed; lobe margins undulate or lobed; petiole 2–6 cm long.
Inflorescence short, 2–6–flowered; peduncle c. 10 mm long; pedicels 5-10 mm long. Calyx 7–8 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 2-4.5 mm long. Corolla stellate, shallowly incised, 15-20 mm diam., white. Anthers 4–5 mm long.
Berry globular, 12–18 mm diam., yellowish-green or green. Seeds 2.5–3.5 mm long, pale yellow.
Another detailed description of this species can be found in Bean's interactive key to the eastern Australian species of Solanum at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/adenopho.htm
Distribution and ecology
A relatively rare species recorded from scattered localities in Qld in the Dingo-Nebo-Clermont area near Rockhampton. Specimens from N.S.W. and Vic. previously assigned to this species are now treated as S. eremophilum (q.v.).
Occurs in deep cracking clays in brigalow (Acacia harpophylla) and gidgee (Acacia cambagei) communities.
Relationships
Considered by Bean (2004) to be a member of the S. hystrix group of subgen. Leptostemonum.
Notes
Solanum adenophorum, as treated in Symon (1981) and Flora of Australia 29: 139 (1982), was more widely spread than it is now considered to be. Specimens from NSW and VIC treated as S. adenophorum in these earlier publications, as well as in the state floras (Conn 1992, Jeanes 1999) are now considered to be S. eremophilum F.Muell. (see Bean 2004).
The recircumscribed S. adenophorum is now only known from Taunton NP in Qld and is considered to be an endangered species.
Selected specimens
QLD: SOUTH KENNEDY DISTRICT: Logan Downs Pty Ltd, ‘Wentworth’, 68 miles [109 km] N of Clermont, Oct 1957, Saclier 3 (BRI); 115 km NW of Clermont, Jul 1977, Dale 148 (BRI). LEICHHARDT DISTRICT: Blackwater Creek, anno 1871, Bowman s.n. (MEL); Marlborough–Sarina road, c. 45 miles [72 km] from Marlborough, May 1960, Johnson 1779 (BRI); Dipperu N.P., c. 24 km S of Nebo, Sep 1971, McDonald 143 (BRI); along boundary fence, Taunton N.P., Oct 1995, Brushe JB408 et al. (BRI); Taunton N.P., Oct 1996, Porter JB836 (BRI); Red Hill section of Taunton N.P., just N of Dingo, Aug 1998, Melzer 994 & Clarke (BRI).
Reproduced from Bean (2004) because the recircumscription of this species only includes Qld localities.
Plant status, if any
This species is listed as endangered under the
From the web
Further information and links for this species can be found on the Solanaceae Source site.