Solanum dolichocremastrum

Description

Solanum dolichocremastrum distribution map
Solanum dolichocremastrum distribution map

Solanum dolichocremastrum is a wild potato species native to Peru.  Plants reach about two feet tall.  Tubers moniliform or terminal and ovate, small, and scarce.  Stolons ranging in length from a few inches to more than 18.  Flower light blue or white with light blue.

The specific epithet, dolichocremastrum, means something like “long hanging” or “hanging down,” referring to the flowers.  It is formed from the Greek words “dolichos,” for “long,” and “cremastos,” for “stem.”  While there is no completely standardized pronunciation for scientific names, the most common way to pronounce this species is probably so-LAY-num doh-li-koh-kree-MASS-truhm.

Resistances

Vega (1995) found that this species is less frost tolerant than domesticated potato.

Condition Type Level of Resistance Source
Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) Fungus Resistant Champouret 2010
Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) Fungus Not Resistant Gonzales 2002, Tiwari 2015

Glykoalkaloid content

I have found no information published for this species, but the tubers are mildly bitter.

Images

Solanum dolichocremastrum plant
Solanum dolichocremastrum plant
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower buds
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower buds
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Solanum dolichocremastrum leaf
Solanum dolichocremastrum leaf
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Berry of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum berry
Flower of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Berries of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum berries
Seedling plant of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum seedling
Seedling plant of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum seedling
Flower of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum flower
Flowers of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum flowers
Plants of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum plants
Berries of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum berries
Berries of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum berries
Berries of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum berries
Tubers of the wild potato species Solanum dolichocremastrum
Solanum dolichocremastrum tubers

Cultivation

I found this species difficult to germinate from genebank seed, but my seeds have germinated at nearly 100%.  Tubers are scarce with this species, or perhaps they are very late forming.  I have found perhaps two or three strings of moniliform tubers or singles per plant with a mid-November harvest.

Accessions Evaluated

The following accessions were examined to prepare this profile.  I have evaluated 4/4 accessions currently available from the US Potato Genebank.

PI 498234

Moderate germination and slow seedling growth.

PI 498235

Moderate germination and strong seedling growth.

PI 498236

Poor germination and weak seedling growth.

PI 498237

Moderate germination and slow seedling growth.

Breeding

Crosses with S. tuberosum

Female Male Berry Set
Seed Set Germ Ploidy Source
 S. tuberosum S. dolichocremastrum Low None Jackson (1999)

Crosses with other species

Jackson (1999) found 1-4% 2n pollen for varieties of this species.

Female Male Berry Set
Seed Set Germ Ploidy Source

References

Solanum dolichocremastrum at Solanaceae Source

Solanum dolichocremastrum at GRIN Taxonomy

Solanum dolichocremastrum at CIP