Bahama Horse-nettle (Solanum bahamense) Linnaeus, 1753 |
Synonyms: Solanum anacanthum, Solanum cestrifolium, Solanum cestrophyllum, Solanum fruticosum, Solanum igneum, Solanum lanceifolium, Solanum molle, Solanum persicifolium, Solanum racemosum, Solanum ramosum, Solanum subarmatum, Solanum umbrosum, Solanum varginstonicum, Bahama Nightshade, Canker Berry |
Solanum bahamense is native to the Florida Keys, the Bahamas, Greater Antilles (excluding Hispaniola) and northern Lesser Antilles. It grows on limestone and sandy soils along the edges of dry tropical forests and coppice (shrublands), along roadsides and in fields. Shrub, up to 3 m in height; branches and leaves may be covered with spines or unarmed. The leaves are alternate, oblong to lanceolate, with an acute apex, up to 15 cm in length; margins entire to undulate. Flowers with five green sepals, five purple or blue petals, and stamens with bright yellow anthers; arranged in racemes. The fruit is a berry that turns red at maturity.