Synonymy
Solanum papaverifolium Symon, Trans. Roy. Soc. S. Austral. 95: 233; fig. 8 (1971)
T: `Maneroo', Graman, c. 56 km NW of Inverell, N.S.W., 11 June 1969, V.N. Gidley s.n.; holo: NSW; iso: AD, BRI, CANB, K, MEL.
S. hystrix auct. non R.Br.: auctt. pre 1939 publications.
Description
Erect or sprawling, clonal, perennial herb with annual stems to 30 cm, green, glabrous except for minute glandular hairs on young growth; prickles to 5 mm long, abundant on stems, leaves, pedicels and calyx.
Leaves ovate; lamina 4–7 cm long, 3–5 cm wide, concolorous, deeply lobed; lobes 1–2 cm long, the margin toothed or lobed; petiole 10–15 mm long, sometimes to 30 mm.
Inflorescence 1–6–flowered; peduncle 1–6 cm long; rachis 1–2 cm long, pedicels 1–2 cm long. Calyx 5–8 mm long; lobes lanceolate, 3–5 mm long. Corolla stellate, 20 mm diam., purple. Anthers 3.5–4 mm long.
Berry depressed globular, 10–12 mm diam., greenish-yellow with faint green stripes. Seeds not known.
A more comprehensive description of this species can be found at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/papaveri.htm
Distribution and ecology
Occurs predominantly in the Darling Downs District of south-eastern Qld and the Northern Slopes District of N.S.W., generally on heavy clay in grassland or eucalypt woodland.
Since it grows in areas more usually utilised for farming, it has been treated as a weed in the past; it is now recorded as a threatened species in Queensland.
Flowers October to March; fruits November to April.
Relationships
Part of the S. hystrix group of subgen. Leptostemonum according to Bean (2004).
Notes
Derivation of epithet
From Papaver, Latin for poppy and folium, Latin for leaf, a reference to poppy-shaped leaves.
Selected specimens
Qld: Dalby, 16 Apr. 1952, Land Ranger (BRI). N.S.W.: Moree, 18 May 1971, G. Strange (NSW).
Plant status, if any
Currently known from only three locations, this species is listed as endangered under the
From the web
Images of this species can be accessed through http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/papaveri.htm
Further information on this species in NSW can be seen on the PlantNET site.
Further information, an image and links for this species can be found on the Solanaceae Source site.