 Plate by G.Dashorst from D.E. Symon, Kangaroo Apples (1994) pl. 6, published by the author. |
 Line drawing by G. Dashorst, Fl. S. Aus. 3, f. 573 partly (1986). |
 Distribution map generated from Australia's Virtual Herbarium. |
Synonymy
Solanum capsiciforme (Domin) Baylis, Austral. J. Bot. 11: 168 (1963)
S. simile var. capsiciforme Domin, Feddes Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12: 130 (1913).
T: Near Lake Gillies, S.A., Burkett s.n.; holo: K.
[S.simile F. Muell. var. fasciculatum (F. Muell.) J. Black, Fl. S. Austral. 4: 497 (1926), nom. illeg.]
Description
Erect, short-lived shrub to 1 m, green, glabrous except for minute glandular and simple hairs on young growth, and calyx and corolla apices; prickles absent.
Leaves linear-lanceolate; lamina 3-10 cm long, 3-10 mm wide, concolorous, entire; petiole 5-10 mm long. Juvenile leaves oblong-lanceolate, undulate or shallowly lobed.
Inflorescence short, 1-6-flowered; peduncle absent or up to 10 mm long; pedicels 10-20 mm long. Calyx 2-4 mm long; lobes triangular, 1-1.5 mm long. Corolla rotate, 20-30 mm diam., violet. Anthers 2-3 mm long.
Berry conical, 15-30 mm long, green when ripe. Seeds 1.5 mm long, brown or grey-brown. Stone-cell granules 1-1.5(2) mm long. n=23.
Distribution and ecology
An Australian endemic S. capsiciforme occurs in southern S.A. and south-western W.A., usually in disturbed sites in sandy soil or sand over limestone.
Common name
Native Pepper
Relationships
S. capsiciforme is one of the Kangaroo Apples or subg. Archaeosolanum. Further information about this group of species can be found in Symon (1994).
Reference: Symon, D.E. (1994). Kangaroo apples: Solanum sect. Archaesolanum. Published by the author:
Selected specimens
W.A.: About 12 km S of Lake Grace, S. Paust 867 (PERTH). S.A.: Hambidge Reserve, D.E. Symon 4272 (AD, CANB); 16 km SW of Buckleboo, D.J. Whibley 307 (AD).
From the web
Information on S. capsiciforme in WA can be found on the FloraBase site and in SA on the eFlora site.
Further information and links for this species can be found on the Solanaceae Source site.