Lycianthes rantonnetii

Lycianthes rantonnetii, the blue potato bush or Paraguay nightshade,[1] is a species of flowering plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae, native to South America.[2] Growing to about 6 ft (1.8 m) tall and broad[1], it is a rounded evergreen shrub with a somewhat lax habit. A profusion of trumpet-shaped, bright blue-purple flowers with a prominent yellow eye appear in summer, followed by red berries. It is widely cultivated and may be hardy in mild or coastal areas. Alternatively it can be grown in a container and brought under cover in winter. It requires a sheltered location in full sun.[3] Though related to food plants like the potato and tomato, all parts of the plant are considered toxic to humans.

Lycianthes rantonnetii
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Lycianthes
Species:
L. rantonnetii
Binomial name
Lycianthes rantonnetii
Synonyms

Solanum rantonnei orth. var. Carrière
Solanum rantonnetii Carrière

It has been given the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit.[3][4]

The species is named for Barthélémy Victor Rantonnet, a 19th-century French horticulturalist.[5]

Lycianthes rantonnetii has previously been placed in Solanum, a huge genus which has recently been the subject of major investigation, with species being transferred to and from several different genera. There are many rare and little-known species whose true placement has yet to be determined.

References
  1. "What Is A Potato Bush: Information About The Blue Potato Bush Plant". Gardening Know How. Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  2. "Lycianthes rantonnetii". Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Agricultural Research Service (ARS), United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 2009-03-19.
  3. "RHS Plantfinder - Lycianthes rantonnetii". Retrieved 1 April 2018.
  4. "AGM Plants - Ornamental" (PDF). Royal Horticultural Society. July 2017. p. 62. Retrieved 25 March 2018.
  5. http://davisla.wordpress.com/2013/10/19/plant-of-the-week-lycianthes-rantonnetii/


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