A new species of Solanum (Solanaceae) from South Africa related to the cultivated eggplant.

ABSTRACT: A new andromonoecious species related to the eggplant and belonging to Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum from southern Africa is described. Solanum umtuma Voronts. & S.Knapp, sp. nov. is found in the eastern part of South Africa, and is sympatric with its close relative Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.M-L.Jaeger. It is morphologically very similar to Solanum cerasiferum Dunal of northern tropical Africa. A comparison table with similar and closely related species is provided, as are a distribution map and illustration of Solanum umtuma.

SUBMITTER: Vorontsova MS 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3254246 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature