Distribution within Australia based off data provided from Atlas of Living Australia[2]
Solanum oligacanthum is a species of herbaceous perennial herb or subshrub which is spread throughout central east Australia (South-West Queensland, North-West New South Wales, and North-East South Australia).[3] This species is often found in seasonally flooded creek channels, flats and lagoons, and commonly referred to as desert nightshade.[3][4]
Description
Solanum oligacanthum is an erect, colonial, herbacious perennial species.[3] It grows up to 1 m (3 ft 3 in) in heaight. This species is of pale grey-green colour, resulting from densely pubescent stellate hairs up to 16 mm (0.63 in) long.
Its leaves are broadly ovate,[5] 7–20 mm (0.28–0.79 in) wide and long, with the apex obtuse and rounded, and the base obtuse to cordate.
The corollas is purple and rotate (20–25 mm (0.79–0.98 in) diameter), containing the yellow[6]anthers arranged in the centre forming a cone-like structure.[7]
Its seeds are 4–5 mm (0.16–0.20 in) long, black or dark-brownish in colour.
Ecology
Solanum oligacanthum grows in arid shrub lands within Australia.[8] New growth occurs in spring, and most top growth dies down over winter leaving dead stubble.
This species, like most Solanum, pollinates through a process known as buzz pollination.[6]
It is classified as a weed within some parts of South Australia.[5]
Distribution and conservation status
Desert nightshade is distributed predominately within central eastern Australia, spread between South-West Queensland, North-West New South Wales, and North-East South Australia, with some being found on the Eastern Coast of South Australia as well.[3] There is no conservation status listed for Solanum oligacanthum[9] so it is assumed this species conservation is of low-concern.
Gallery
Close up of multiple flowers
Close up of a single flower, and visible cone-like anther
