Solanum mauritianum Scop.

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Photo: Petra Ballings
Jevington Rd, Vumba

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Synonyms:
Common names:	Bug tree (English) Bugweed (English)
Frequency:	Locally very common
Status:	Introduced
Description:	Fast-growing, foetid, densely stellate-tomentose, unarmed, shrub or small tree to 4 m. Prominent leafy false stipules usually present at base of petiole. Leaves: petiole (2-)4-5 cm; lamina 15-30(-40) × 6-11(-20) cm, ovate to elliptic, entire, acuminate. Cymes pedunculate, many-flowered, flat-topped, terminal. Calyx 5-6 mm; lobes broadly elliptic. Corolla 1.6-2 cm across, stellate to pentagonal, violet-blue. Anthers 2.6-3 mm, pale yellow. Berry c.1.5 cm, spherical, dull yellow.
Notes:	An early coloniser of cleared areas in the Vumba; however, it is eventually shaded out by the redeveloping forest.In leaf, it is superficially similar to Vernonia myriantha. See that species for information on how to separate them.
Derivation of specific name:	mauritianum: from Mauritius although this species is not indigenous to Mauritius.
Habitat:	An aggressive alien invader in disturbed areas, on roadsides and appearing spontaneously in gardens, probably birdsown. It appears to act as a pioneer in cleared areas of forest, invading and dominating these clearings for some time.
Altitude range: (metres)	1250 - 2020 m
Flowering time:
Worldwide distribution:	Origin uncertain, possibly South American or Asian, now well naturalised throughout the tropics and in some temperate countries as well
Zimbabwe distribution:	C,E
Growth form:	ST
Endemic status:
Red data list status:
Insects (whose larvae eat this species):	Coeliades forestan forestan (Striped policeman)
Spot characters:	Display spot characters for this species
Content last updated:	Saturday 23 September 2006
Literature:

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Other sources of information about Solanum mauritianum:

Flora of Zimbabwe: cultivated Solanum mauritianum page
Flora of Mozambique: Solanum mauritianum
African Plant Database: Solanum mauritianum
Biodiversity Explorer (Biodiversity of southern Africa): Solanum mauritianum
EOL (Encyclopedia of Life): Solanum mauritianum
ePIC (electronic Plant Information Center): Solanum mauritianum
Flora Zambesiaca web site: Solanum mauritianum
Google: Web - Images - Scholar
GRIN (Germplasm Resources Information Network) taxonomy for plants report for Solanum mauritianum
IPNI (International Plant Names Index): Solanum mauritianum
JSTOR Plant Science: Solanum mauritianum
Kew Herbarium catalogue: Solanum mauritianum
Tropicos: Solanum mauritianum
West African Plants database: Solanum mauritianum