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| Last updated: February 2025 |

Previously, the botanical name of this plant was Solanum nodiflorum according to a genetic study published by Manoko in 2007 [1]. In addition to the genetic evidence, the study noted that the flower of Solanum americanum possesses an exserted style (a stalk-like structure connecting to the ovary), whereas this characteristic is absent in Solanum nodiflorum. The specimen I observed and cultivated in Singapore did not exhibit an exserted style.

In a subsequent publication in 2018 [2], Manoko's findings were contested. According to Sarkinen (page 61), the taxonomic concepts employed in the 2007 study differed. The article further explained that the Solanum nodiflorum analyzed in that publication was regarded as Solanum americanum based on the taxonomic treatment in the current study, and it was suggested that the Solanum americanum examined by Manoko might actually be a different species.

In Singapore, Solanum americanum was included in the local flora checklists published in 2009 and 2022. According to the iNaturalist website, accessed on 25 December 2022, there were five recorded observations from Singapore, with the earliest observation dated November 2020. Approximately two years later, as of 12 February 2025, the number of observations had increased by only two, reaching a total of seven. This limited increase demonstrates the rarity of this plant in Singapore.

The genus Solanum belongs to the family commonly known as the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes tomato and potato plants. Solanum americanum is often mistaken for a similar species, Solanum nigrum, commonly referred to as black nightshade or blackberry nightshade. There has been some confusion between this plant and the deadly nightshade or belladonna (Atropa belladonna), which is known to be toxic. Fortunately, Atropa belladonna has not been reported in Singapore. However, there was a report of Solanum nigrum in Singapore on the SG Strawberries blog in 2019, although it is suspected that the plant was likely Solanum americanum instead.

Solanum americanum is noted as a local vegetable in Indonesia [3] and Africa [4]. I grew this plant in my pot in 2012 and wrote a Nature Note on it in 2019.

References:

[1] Manoko MLK, van den Berg RG, Feron RMC, van der Weerden GM, Mariani C. AFLP markers support separation of Solanum nodiflorum from Solanum americanum sensu stricto (Solanaceae). Plant Systematics & Evolution 2007;267:1-11. | Read article |

[2] Sarkinen T, Poczai P, Barboza GE, van der Weerden GM, Baden M, Knapp S. A revision of the Old World Black Nightshades (Morelloid clade of Solanum L., Solanaceae). PhytoKeys 2018;106:1-223. | Read article |

[3] Mulyanto D, Iskandar J, Abdoellah OS, Iskandar BS, Riawanti S, Partasasmita R. Leunca (Solanum americanum Mill.): The uses as vegetable in two villages in Upper Citarum Area, Bandung, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 2018;19(5):1941-1954. | Read article |

[4] Yuan B, Byrnes D, Giurleo D, Villani T, Simon JE, Wu Q. Rapid screening of toxic glycoalkaloids and micronutrients in edible nightshades (Solanum spp.). J Food Drug Anal 2018;26(2):751-760. | Read article |

| Plants of the World Online | New Zealand Plant Conservation Network | Atlas of Poisonous Plants in Hong Kong | Pacific Island Ecosystems at Risk (PIER) | CABI Digital Library | SEINet |

[2024] Yu S, Wang Y, Li T, Shi H, Kong D, Pang J, Wang Z, Meng H, Gao Y, Wang X, Hong Y, Zhu JK, Zhan X, Wang Z. Chromosome-scale assembly and gene editing of Solanum americanum genome reveals the basis for thermotolerance and fruit anthocyanin composition. Theor Appl Genet 2024;137(1):15. | Read abstract |

[2024] Lin X, Jia Y, Heal R, Prokchorchik M, Sindalovskaya M, Olave-Achury A, Makechemu M, Fairhead S, Noureen A, Heo J, Witek K, Smoker M, Taylor J, Shrestha RK, Lee Y, Zhang C, Park SJ, Sohn KH, Huang S, Jones JDG. Solanum americanum genome-assisted discovery of immune receptors that detect potato late blight pathogen effectors. Nat Genet 2023;55(9):1579-1588. | Read article |

[2022] Sharma P, Rathee S, Ahmad M, Batish DR, Singh HP, Kohli RK. Biodegradable chelant-metal complexes enhance cadmium phytoextraction efficiency of Solanum americanum. Environ Sci Pollut Res Int 2022;29(38):57102-57111. | Read abstract |

[2021] Witek K, Lin X, Karki HS, Jupe F, Witek AI, Steuernagel B, Stam R, van Oosterhout C, Fairhead S, Heal R, Cocker JM, Bhanvadia S, Barrett W, Wu CH, Adachi H, Song T, Kamoun S, Vleeshouwers VGAA, Tomlinson L, Wulff BBH, Jones JDG. A complex resistance locus in Solanum americanum recognizes a conserved Phytophthora effector. Nat Plants 2021;7(2):198-208. | Read article |

[2021] Moon H, Pandey A, Yoon H, Choi S, Jeon H, Prokchorchik M, Jung G, Witek K, Valls M, McCann HC, Kim MS, Jones JDG, Segonzac C, Sohn KH. Identification of RipAZ1 as an avirulence determinant of Ralstonia solanacearum in Solanum americanum. Mol Plant Pathol 2021;22(3):317-333. | Read article |

[2017] Silva EL, Almeida-Lafetá RC, Borges RM, Staerk D. Dual high-resolution inhibition profiling and HPLC-HRMS-SPE-NMR analysis for identification of α-glucosidase and radical scavenging inhibitors in Solanum americanum Mill. Fitoterapia 2017;118:42-48. | Read article |

[2016] Vagula JM, Bertozzi J, Castro JC, Oliveira CC, Clemente E, Santos Júnior Ode O, Visentainer JV. Determination of trans-resveratrol in Solanum americanum Mill. by HPLC. Nat Prod Res 2016;30(19):2230-4. | Read abstract |

[2012] Luo M, Ding LW, Ge ZJ, Wang ZY, Hu BL, Yang XB, Sun QY, Xu ZF. The characterization of SaPIN2b, a plant trichome-localized proteinase inhibitor from Solanum americanum. Int J Mol Sci 2012;13(11):15162-76. | Read article |

[2009] Luo M, Wang Z, Li H, Xia KF, Cai Y, Xu ZF. Overexpression of a weed (Solanum americanum) proteinase inhibitor in transgenic tobacco results in increased glandular trichome density and enhanced resistance to Helicoverpa armigera and Spodoptera litura. Int J Mol Sci 2009;10(4):1896-1910. | Read article |

[2008] Afolabi OC, Ogunsola FT, Coker AO. Susceptibility of cariogenic Streptococcus mutans to extracts of Garcinia kola, Hibiscus sabdariffa, and Solanum americanum. West Afr J Med 2008;27(4):230-3. | Read abstract |

[2006] Sin SF, Yeung EC, Chye ML. Downregulation of Solanum americanum genes encoding proteinase inhibitor II causes defective seed development. Plant J 2006;45(1):58-70. | Read article |

[2004] Sin SF, Chye ML. Expression of proteinase inhibitor II proteins during floral development in Solanum americanum. Planta 2004;219(6):1010-22. | Read abstract |

[2001] Xu ZF, Qi WQ, Ouyang XZ, Yeung E, Chye ML. A proteinase inhibitor II of Solanum americanum is expressed in phloem. Plant Mol Biol 2001;47(6):727-38. | Read abstract |

The list of publications below includes Solanum nodiflorum in the publication title. Solanum nodiflorum is a synonym of Solanum nodiflorum.

[2017] Sõmera M, Truve E. Complete nucleotide sequence of Solanum nodiflorum mottle virus. Arch Virol 2017;162(6):1731-1736. | Read abstract |

[1984] Kiberstis PA, Zimmern D. Translational strategy of Solanum nodiflorum mottle virus RNA: synthesis of a coat protein precursor in vitro and in vivo. Nucleic Acids Res. 1984 Jan 25;12(2):933-43. | Read article |

[1983] Chu PW, Francki RI. Chemical and serological comparison of the coat proteins of velvet tobacco mottle and Solanum nodiflorum mottle viruses. Virology 1983;129(2):350-6. | Read abstract |

[1982] Randles JW, Steger G, Riesner D. Structural transitions in viroid-like RNAs associated with cadang-cadang disease, velvet tobacco mottle virus, and Solanum nodiflorum mottle virus. Nucleic Acids Res 1982;10(18):5569-86. | Read article |

[1981] Gould AR, Hatta T. Studies on encapsidated viroid-like RNA. III. Comparative studies on RNAs isolated from velvet tobacco mottle virus and Solanum nodiflorum mottle virus. Virology 1981;109(1):137-47. | Read abstract |