Lycianthes rantonnetii
Lycianthes rantonnetii | |
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Scientific classification ![]() | |
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 rantonnei orth. var. Carrière |
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] 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. 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] Though related to food plants like the potato and tomato, all parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans.
It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]
The species is named for Barthélémy Victor Rantonnet, a 19th-century French horticulturalist.[5]
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.
References
- ^ a b "What Is A Potato Bush: Information About The Blue Potato Bush Plant". Gardening Know How. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ "Lycianthes rantonnetii". Germplasm Resources Information Network. Agricultural Research Service, United States Department of Agriculture. Retrieved 2009-03-19.
- ^ a b "RHS Plantfinder - Lycianthes rantonnetii". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
- ^ "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 62. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
- ^ "Lycianthes rantonnetii". 19 October 2013.
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