 Line drawing by M. Szent Ivany, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4 (1981) 179, fig. 70. |
 Distribution map generated from Australia's Virtual Herbarium. |
Synonymy
Solanum elachophyllum F. Muell., Fragm. Phytogr. Austral. 2: 164 (1861)
T: Between the Mackenzie and Dawson Rivers, Qld, Nov. 1856, F. Mueller s.n.; lecto: K, iso: MEL 12234; fide D.E. Symon, J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4: 178 (1981).
Description
Rigid, intricate shrub to 50 cm, grey-green; leaves, pedicels and calyx pubescent with stellate hairs; prickles 5–15 mm long, scattered on stems, occasionally on upper leaf-surface, often paired at base of petiole.
Leaves ovate-elliptic; lamina 7–12 mm long, 5–9 mm wide, discolorous, entire; upper surface glabrescent, hairs dense on lower surface; petiole 2–4 mm long.
Flowers solitary or paired; peduncle absent or up to 5 mm long; pedicels 7–8 mm, long sometimes to 12 mm. Calyx 3–4.5 mm long; lobes obtusely triangular, 1–1.5 mm long. Corolla stellate, deeply incised, 15–30 mm diam., mauve. Anthers 3.5–5 mm long.
Berry globular, 10–15 mm diam., yellow. Seeds 3–4 mm long, light grey-brown. n=12.
A more detailed description of this species can be found on the Bean interactive key site at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/elachoph.htm
Distribution and ecology
Known only from limited collections in the Leichhardt District of Qld, occurring in cracking clay soils associated with Brigalow (Acacia harpophylla), Belah (Casuarina cristata), Macropteranthes or Eucalyptus cambageana.
Relationships
S. elachophyllum is distinct from most species of Solanum by the smallness of its leaves.
Its closest relationships are thought to be with S. esuriale and S. sturtianum (Bean 2004) because of a similarity in hair covering.
Considered by Bean (2004) to be a member of the S. esuriale group of subgen. Leptostemonum.
Selected specimens
Qld: Thomby, R.W. Johnson 2874 (ADW, MEL); near Warwick homestead, Leichhardt District, Story & Yapp 174 (BRI, CANB).
From the web
Further information, an image and links for this species can be found on the Solanaceae Source site.
Images of the fruit and flowers can be seen in the Bean interactive key to the eastern Australian species of Solanum at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/elachoph.htm