Lycianthes rantonnetii

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Lycianthes rantonnetii
Lycianthes rantonnetii00.jpg
Scientific classification OOjs UI icon edit-ltr.svg
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Lycianthes
Species:
L. rantonnetii
Binomial name
Lycianthes rantonnetii
Synonyms

Solanum rantonneiorth. var. Carrière
Solanum rantonnetiiCarrière

Contents

Lycianthes rantonnetii, the blue potato bush or Paraguay nightshade, [1] is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to South America. [2] Though related to food plants like the potato and tomato, all parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans.

Description

Growing to about 6 ft (1.8 m) tall and broad, [1] it is a rounded evergreen shrub with a somewhat lax habit. A profusion of trumpet-shaped, bright blue-purple flowers with a prominent yellow eye appear in summer, followed by red berries. [3]

Taxonomy

Lycianthes rantonnetii has previously been placed in Solanum , a huge genus which has recently been the subject of major investigation, with species being transferred to and from several different genera. There are many rare and little-known species whose true placement has yet to be determined.

Etymology

The species is named for Barthélémy Victor Rantonnet, a 19th-century French horticulturalist. [4]

Cultivation

It is widely cultivated and may be hardy in mild or coastal areas. Alternatively it can be grown in a container and brought under cover in winter. It requires a sheltered location in full sun. [3] It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. [3] [5]

References

  1. 1 2 "What Is A Potato Bush: Information About The Blue Potato Bush Plant". Gardening Know How. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. ↑ "Lycianthes rantonnetii". Germplasm Resources Information Network . Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture . Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  3. 1 2 3 "RHS Plantfinder - Lycianthes rantonnetii" . Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  4. ↑ "Lycianthes rantonnetii". 19 October 2013.
  5. ↑ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 62. Retrieved 25 March 2018.


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