Solanum linnaeanum Hepper

Knapp, Sandra, Vorontsova, Maria S. & Prohens, Jaime, 2013, Wild Relatives of the Eggplant (Solanum melongena L.: Solanaceae): New Understanding of Species Names in a Complex Group, PLoS ONE 8 (2), pp. 1-12 : 9

7. Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M.L.Jaeger, Kew Bull. 41: 435. 1986.

Distribution. Probably native to South Africa and naturalised around the Mediterranean in disturbed, often coastal, habitats worldwide; sand dunes, grass, forest margins, river banks, and roadsides at 0–1200 m elevation.

Solanum linnaeanum has long been referred to has Solanum sodomaeum L. or Solanum hermannii Dunal , the latter name is illegitimate and the former has been rejected according to the rules of botanical nomenclature and can therefore not be used [ 50, 51]. This species is probably native to South Africa and has been introduced into the Mediterranean region where it is now common. Solanum linnaeanum is morphologically quite distinct from the rest of the eggplant wild relatives with its deeply incised, almost glabrous leaves ( Fig. 1E ). In Spain, fruits of S. linnaeanum do not appear to be eaten by any animals, it is common to find fruits from several years still on the plant. The relationship of S. linnaeanum to the eggplant wild relatives was first clearly shown by Weese and Bohs [ 27]. It was previously used as the female parent in the creation of the first linkage map for eggplants [ 52] despite the cross only proving possible through embryo rescue (M.-C. Daunay, pers. comm.). The accession used by Weese and Bohs [ 27] was Mediterranean in origin, so the relationship of S. linnaeanum with the other South African species S. lichtensteinii is intriguing and perhaps indicative that it is introduced in the Mediterranean. Solanum linnaeanum has been used in analyses of resistance to important diseases such as bacterial wilt [ 53] and, similarly to S. incanum , is a candidate for the creation of ILs that would be valuable resources for eggplant breeding (M.-C. Daunay, pers. comm.).

Figures

Figure 1. Representative flower and fruit morphology of eggplant and its wild relatives. A. Solanum campylacanthum inflorescences (Kenya - Vorontsova et al. 157); B. Solanum incanum immature fruit (Kenya – Vorontsova et al. 203); C. Solanum insanum fruit cross-section (China – Wang et al. 2047); D. Solanum insanum inflorescence with several hermaphrodite flowers (China – Wang et al. 2039); E. Solanum linnaeanum with yellow mature and mottled green immature fruit, note highly dissected leaves (Spain - Knapp IM-10096); F. Solanum melongena flower with duplicated parts (China – Wang et al. 2042). Photographs: A, B taken M.S. Vorontsova; C, D, E, F taken by S. Knapp. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0057039.g001