Tropicos | Name - Solanum nigrum L. var. nigrum

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Solanum nigrum L. var. nigrum

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Project Name Data (Last Modified On 6/2/2011)

Acceptance : Accepted

Project Data (Last Modified On 6/3/2011)

Contributor Text: YASIN J. NASIR

Flower/Fruit: Fl. Per. Mostly throughout the year.

Type: Lectotype: Described from C. Asia. Hb. Linn. 248/18 (LINN).

Distribution: Distribution: Cosmopolitan. being absent from the arctic and subarctic regions.

Comment/Acknowledgements: Much taxonomic confusion has centred on the Solanum nigrum complex, especially the treatment of the black and orange-red berried forms. Most authors (Hawkes & Edmonds, 1972; Schoenbeck-Temesy 1972; Baytop, 1978: Hara et al. 1982. Enum. of the Flow. Pl. Nep. 3:111.). regard the black berried plants as distinct. Workers dealing with the Indo-Pakistan continent have treated both different colored berried forms under Solanum nigrum s.l. Some recent work by Bhaduri (1983, Ind. Bot. Soc. 12.56.64). Tandon & Rao (1966, Current Science. 20.324-325) and Rao, Khan & Khan (1971, Mag. Univ. Tokyo. 88:335-338) have shown that variation in Solanum nigrum group (at least for the subcontinent) is often of a continuous nature and the characters show intergrading.

In the numerous specimens I have observed of Solanum nigrum in the field there is an important distinguishing character: The black berried plants have peduncles longer than pedicels, as compared to the orange or orange-red berried plants, where the peduncles tend to be shorter or equalling the pedicel.

The fruit is edible. The young shoots are cooked as a pot herb. Plant parts contain the alkaloid solanine. The juice of the plant is diuretic, and used in the treatment of enlarged livers (Dymoc, Reprint edit. 1972, Pharm., Ind. 2.301).

Illustration:

Map Location: Gilgit: A-7 Danior, 21.6.1950, A.H Khan s.n. (PPFI-B); Rama vy., Astor, Lankester & Pearson 1419 (BM); B, C-6 Peshawar University Campus, M.A. Naz 14 (PES, RAW); B-7 Swat: Marghuzar. 4300', E. & Y. Nasir 7700 (RAW); Kash¬mir: Subri fruit black. Y. Nasir 9391 (RAW); Khai Gala, Poonch, J. Mohd 149 (G); Baltistan: right side of Shyok, Kiris-Naru, Schlagintweit 5846 (BM); Hazara Dist.: Haripur, 2000', M.A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 6975 (RAW); Badalpur-Khanpur, M. A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 6589 (RAW); rd. to Kund, C. Wright 47 (BM); Abbottabad, 29.8.55, A. H. Khan s.n. (PPFI-B); Kalapani rd., 27.8.55. A. H. Khan s.n. (PPFI-B); C-6 Kurram Agency: Tirah rd., Kazmi & Khan Mohd. 4030 (PES, RAW); Shalizan berries black, M. A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 6423; 6428 (RAW); near Sadda, M. A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 6430 (RAW); Makai, 6300', M. A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 8155 (RAW); C-7 Rawalpindi & Islamabad Dists.: Islamabad, berries black, peduncles longer than pedicels, id., Y. Nasir 9484 (RAW); Rawalpindi, c. 1700 ft., berries black, pedicals short, R. R. Stewart 16532 (RAW); Gordon College, berries black, Y. Nasir 7031 (RAW); C.D.A. Nursery, Islamabad, M. A. Siddiqi & Y. Nasir 7031 (RAW); Upper Topa, July 1949, A. H. Khan s.n. (PPFI-B). Jhelum Dist.: Jhelum, R. R. & I. D. Stewart 489 (RAW); Amral, Lehri rd., Y. Nasir & Rubina Akhtar 10690 (RAW); Kohat Dist.: Hangu, berries black M. A. Siddiqi & Nasir 6424 (RAW): id., 12.7.1963. id., B.N. Vaid, s.n. (RAW); C-8 Gujranwala Dist.: Bhakhar, 253.57, A. H. Khan s.n. (PPFI-B); Sialkot Dist.: Sialkot-Narowal, Y. Nasir & F. Bhatti 8018 (RAW); Mianwali Dist.: Musakhel, Schlagintweit 11132 (E); Baluchistan: D-4 Loralai, weed, M. Nath 2087 (RAW); F-3 Makran: Panjgur, J. Lamond 593 (E); Sind: Karachi Dist.: G-4 Drigh rd., S. A. Abid 39 (RAW); Karachi University, berries black, Y. Nasir & M. A. Siddiqi 8649 (RAW); E-5 Sibi, Lace 4034 (E).