Solanum laciniatum, Aiton

9. S. laciniatum Aiton View in CoL , Hort. Kew. 1: 247 (1789).

Glabrous or subglabrous shrub; stem 100-150 cm, branched, purplish. Leaves entire or laciniate often on same plant; entire leaves (5-)10-15(-20) x 1-5-4-5 cm, narrow- to linear-lanceolate, longacuminate, narrowly cuneate at base, decurrent on the short petiole; laciniate leaves with 1-3 pairs of narrowly triangular to linear-lanceolate, long-acuminate lobes. Cymes 3- to 12-flowered, solitary or rarely in pairs, axillary to extra-axillary, sessile, the axis elongating in fruit to c. 20 cm. Calyx 5-7 mm; teeth short, mucronulate. Corolla (3O-)4O-5O(-6O) mm in diameter, orbicular, purple; lobes appearing 10 by extension of interpetalar membranes for 3-5 mm on each side of lobe-apex. Anthers 3- 5 mm, yellow. Berry c. 20 x 10 mm, ovoid, yellow to orangeyellow. Cultivated in E. Europe and locally in C. & W. Europe fo r the foliage which is a source o f steroid precursors. (Australia, New Zealand.)

European material has long been confused with 5. aviculare G. Forster from Australia and New Zealand.