Solanum lignicaule

Description

Solanum lignicaule distribution Map note

Solanum lignicaule is a species with a small distribution in southern Peru.

The specific epithet, lignicaule, means “woody stem,” referring to the tendency of the lowest part of the stem to become woody.  It is formed from the Latin words “lignum,” for “wood,” and “caulis,” for “stem.”  While there is no completely standardized pronunciation for scientific names, the most common way to pronounce this species is probably so-LAY-num lig-nih-KAW-lay.

This species can survive frosts down to 27 degrees F (-3 C) (Li 1977).  Vega (1995) found that this species is less frost tolerant than domesticated potato.

Condition Type Level of Resistance Source
Myzus persicae (Green Peach Aphid) Invertebrate Somewhat resistant Machida-Hirano 2015
Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) Fungus Somewhat resistant Gonzales 2002
Phytophthora infestans (Late Blight) Fungus Not resistant Bachmann-Pfabe 2019

Glykoalkaloid content

Images

Solanum lignicaule plant
Solanum lignicaule plant
Flower of the wild potato species Solanum lignicaule
Solanum lignicaule flower
Tubers of the wild potato species Solanum lignicaule
Solanum lignicaule tubers

Cultivation

I have found seeds of this species slow and difficult to germinate using the standard conditions for S. tuberosum.

Breeding

Crosses with S. tuberosum

 

Female Male Berry Set Seed Set Germination Ploidy Source
S. tuberosum S. lignicaule Low Low Jackson (1999)
S. lignicaule S. tuberosum None None Jackson (1999)

Crosses with other species

Jackson (1999) found 6% 2n pollen for varieties of this species.

Female Male Berry Set Seed Set Germination Ploidy Source

References

Solanum lignicaule at Solanaceae Source

Solanum lignicaule at GRIN Taxonomy

Solanum lignicaule at CIP