Solanum wendlandii Hook.f.
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Authority
Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro. 2005. Vines and climbing plants of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands. Contr. U. S. Natl. Herb. 51: 1-483.
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Family
Solanaceae
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Scientific Name
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Description
Description - Slightly woody vine, scandent, attaining several meters in length. Stems cylindrical, glabrous, unarmed or less frequently with some minute recurved spines. Leaves alternate, deeply (3)5-7-pinnatilobate or sometimes simple, 4.5-7.5-17 x 4.6-12 cm, membranaceous, glabrous, with numerous minute dots, elliptical when simple. 4.5-14 x 4.6-7.5, the apex short-acuminate, the base obtuse to almost rounded; segments or lobes elliptical or oblong-elliptical, usually asymmetrical, the apex acute or acuminate, the margins entire; lower surface dull, the primary vein prominent, sometimes with recurved spines; petioles glabrous, 3-6.5 cm long, usually narrowly winged, sometimes with recurved spines. Flowers unisexual, in terminal pseudodichotomous panicles, 8-20 cm long, glabrous; pedicels glabrous, 1-1.7 cm long. Staminate flowers: calyx green, cyathiform, glabrous, 5-7 mm long, with 5 ovate-deltate or ovate lobes, 1-3 mm long, apiculate at the apex; corolla lavender, rotate, pentagonal, 3.5-6 cm wide, the lobes apiculate, ciliate; anthers oblong, 9-10.5 mm long, not connivent, dehiscent by terminal pores and by longitudinal sutures, the filaments thick, unequal. Pistillate flowers and fruits not observed.
Phenology - Collected in flower from April to October.
Conservation Status - Exotic, cultivated as an ornamental and escaped from cultivation (according to Liogier, 1995), although not very common. The plants of this species that are found in cultivation seem to be all male, and apparently reproduce asexually.
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Common Names
campana de pascua, flor de la mañana, papa aérea, giant potato climber