Solanum laxissimum

Description

Solanum laxissimum distribution map
Solanum laxissimum distribution map

Solanum laxissimum is a Peruvian species growing in eastern Andean forests.  Plants three to twelve feet tall and perhaps as much as 16 feet according to Correll (1962).  Tubers five to six inches long.  Flowers large and light to dark purple.  Berries conical, more than an inch long.  Tubers whitish to yellow-brown, sometimes with purple eyes.  Forest edges at 6,900 to 10,200 feet (2100 to 3100 m) elevation.

The specific epithet, laxissimum, means “loosest,” possibly referring to the leaflet structure of the plant.  It is formed from the Latin word “laxus,” for “loose.”  While there is no completely standardized pronunciation for scientific names, the most common way to pronounce this species is probably so-LAY-num lahk-SIS-ih-mum.

Ochoa (2004) mentions that the berries are called shaullinco, but doesn’t discuss why they have a name.  If they are named, presumably they have some use.

The foliage has a strong and pleasant odor, unlike any other wild potato that I have smelled.  I cannot really describe the odor, but perhaps something like a combination of tomato foliage and sage.  Other haves suggested parsley and marijuana.

Resistances

Condition Type Level of Resistance Source
Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) Fungus Some resistance De Galarreta 1998
Potato Virus M (PVM) Virus No resistance De Galarreta 1998
Potato Virus S (PVS) Virus Resistant De Galarreta 1998

Glykoalkaloid content

No information.

Images

Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum plant
Solanum laxissimum flower buds
Solanum laxissimum flower buds
Flower of the wild potato species Solanum laxissimum
Solanum laxissimum flower
Inflorescence of the wild potato species Solanum laxissimum
Solanum laxissimum inflorescence
Tubers of the wild potato species Solanum laxissimum
Solanum laxissimum tubers
Tubers of the wild potato species Solanum laxissimum
Solanum laxissimum tubers

Cultivation

I have found seeds of this species easy to germinate using the standard conditions for S. tuberosum.

Breeding

Jackson (1999) found 5% 2n pollen for varieties of this species.

Crosses with S. tuberosum

Watanabe (1991) found no varieties of this species that produced 2n pollen.

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

Crosses with other species

Female Male Berry Set
Seed Set Germ Ploidy Source

References

Solanum laxissimum at Solanaceae Source

Solanum laxissimum at GRIN Taxonomy

Solanum laxissimum at CIP