| Solanum
is a large, worldwide genus that is part of the nightshade
family and is represented in Tasmania by three native and
ten introduced species. These include shrubs (e.g. the
native species, S. laciniatum and S. opacum,
and the introduced S. marginatum), climbers (e.g.
the introduced species, S. dulcamara) and common
herbaceous weeds (e.g. S. nigrum). Some species are
poisonous (e.g. the immature fruit of S. laciniatum).
The spreading, but fused corolla has (typically) five
stamens with yellow anthers. They sit together in a
tube around the style and are distinctive. The unrelated Borago
officinalis (Boraginaceae) has superficially similar
flowers, but which have deeply lobed ovaries.
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University of Tasmania
