8. Solanum pseudocapsicum L. (Jerusalem cherry)

Map 2643

Plants perennials (shrubs elsewhere), with woody rootstocks. Stems 45–80(–200) cm long, sometimes woody at the very base (more strongly woody elsewhere), sparsely to moderately pubescent with apically 2-branched or pinnately branched, stalked hairs, more densely so on young growth (glabrous elsewhere); unarmed. Leaves unarmed, sessile to short-petiolate, the petiole usually winged toward the tip. Leaf blades 2–8(–12) cm long, simple, narrowly oblong-elliptic to narrowly oblanceolate, rounded or angled to a bluntly pointed tip (sharply pointed elsewhere), tapered at the base, the margins entire to finely wavy or irregularly scalloped, the surfaces glabrous or sparsely pubescent with apically 2-branched or pinnately branched, stalked hairs when young. Inflorescences usually lateral (occasionally axillary), of solitary flowers or small clusters of 2 or 3 flowers (to 8 elsewhere), the flower stalks inconspicuously jointed at the base. Flowers often nodding. Calyces 4–6 mm long, deeply 5-lobed, the lobes narrowly oblong to oblong-lanceolate, the outer surface sparsely branched-hairy, especially toward the tip. Corollas 5–7 mm long, white, deeply lobed, the lobes narrowly lanceolate to narrowly oblong-lanceolate, spreading to more commonly recurved, the inner surface glabrous, the outer surface usually minutely hairy toward the tip. Anthers 3–4 mm long, oblong to oblong-elliptic, lacking a sterile tip, dehiscing by terminal pores. Ovary 2-locular, the surface glabrous at maturity, the style exserted from the anther ring. Fruits 1.2–1.8 cm long, globose, lacking granules, the surface glabrous, yellow to more commonly orangish red or red, usually somewhat shiny, lacking white flecks. Seeds 2.5–3.5 mm in longest dimension, broadly kidney-shaped to nearly circular in outline, strongly flattened, unwinged, the surface minutely pitted or appearing minutely pebbled, yellow to yellowish tan. 2n=24. July–October.

Introduced, uncommon, known thus far only from the city of St. Louis (native of South America, introduced in tropical and warm-temperate regions nearly worldwide, in the U.S. mostly in southeastern states). Open, disturbed areas.

This species is cultivated for its attractive fruits, which mature late in the year. The description above applies mainly to the scanty Missouri materials and observation of plants cultivated in the state. Plants elsewhere in the distribution of the species may appear different in height, leaf size and shape, and pubescence density. The flowers are somewhat similar to those of species in the S. nigrum complex, but the plants at flowering are much more densely leafy.