Synonymy
Solanum pungetium R. Br., Prodr. 446 (1810)
T: Port Jackson area, N.S.W., 1802–1804, R. Brown s.n.; lecto: BM; iso: K, P; fide D.E. Symon, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4: 235 (1981). An image of the lectotype can be seen on the Solanaceae Source site.
Description
Sprawling annual or short-lived perennial herb to 1.5 m, green, pubescent with stellate hairs, the hairs sparse on upper leaf-surface, moderately dense on lower surface; prickles to 6 mm long, scattered on stems, peduncles, petioles and leaf-surfaces.
Leaves elliptic; lamina 5–8 cm long, 2–4 cm wide, slightly discolorous, lobed; lobes obtusely triangular; petiole 10–15 mm long.
Inflorescence 1–3–flowered; peduncle absent or very short; pedicels 2–4 cm long, slightly longer in fruit. Calyx 5–7 mm long; lobes narrowly triangular, 3–4 mm long. Corolla campanulate-rotate, 15–20 mm long, pale purple. Anthers 3–4 mm long.
Berry globular, 25–30 mm diam., yellow; fruiting pedicel 25–50 mm long. Seeds 2.5–4 mm long, pale yellow-orange. n=12.
A DELTA-generated description can be found at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/pungetiu.htm
Distribution and ecology
Occurs predominantly along eastern coast of N.S.W., extending into north-eastern Vic.
Often associated with basaltic or granitic soil on hillsides or in creek-lines.
Common name
Eastern Nightshade.
Relationships
Part of the S. hystrix group of subgen. Leptostemonum according to Bean (2004).
Closely related to S. prinophyllum Dunal.
Selected specimens
N.S.W.: Boyne National Park, M. Evans 2556 (CANB, NSW). Vic.: Mallacoota Inlet National Park, A.C. Beauglehole 32919 (AD, MEL).
Plant status, if any
S. pungetium is a component of the Cumberland Plain Woodland which is an endangered ecological community (see www.environment.gov.au/biodiversity/threatened/communities/cumberland-plains.html).
From the web
Further information on S. pungetium in NSW can be seen on the PlantNET site and a selection of images can be seen on the
A photograph of this species by Hugh & Nan Nicholson can be seen on the Terania Rainforest Publishing Photo Library site and there are some on the Bega Valley site accessible through www.thebegavalley.org.au/uploads/tx_steverplantgallery/index.html..
Limited information is available on the Solanaceae Source site at the present time.