Solandra grandiflora

Solandra grandiflora, the showy chalicevine, or papaturra[1] is a member of the nightshade ( Solanaceae ) genus Solandra and, like the other members of the genus, is a climbing plant with large, attractive, trumpet-shaped flowers. It is native to Central America and northern South America and is widely grown in the tropics as an ornamental.[2] The green parts of the plant are highly toxic (hallucinogenic / delirient in small doses), due to tropane alkaloid content,[3] and have caused deaths from anticholinergic poisoning,[4] but the flesh of the ripe fruit ( although not the unripe fruit or seeds ) is said to be edible. The fruits, which are globular and largely enclosed by the accrescent calyces, can reach a kilogram in weight and have a taste described as apple-like or melon-like.[2]

Solandra grandiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solandra
Species:
S. grandiflora
Binomial name
Solandra grandiflora
Sw.

Symptoms of poisoning

Symptoms caused by ingestion of plant parts - even from chewing fragments of flowers - include dryness of throat, headache, weakness, fever, delirium, hallucinations and potentially fatal circulatory and respiratory failure.[5]

  • Side view of white-flowered form, showing trumpet shape of corolla.
  • Fruit, showing accrescent calyx. Vernacular name in Central America Papaturra.
gollark: Of course, you might dispute that it'll actually save lives or something, but factual issues can be debated more sanely than the usual political thing where you just fight to connect your opponent with disliked things.
gollark: You can say "this policy will be good due to saving some amount of lives through X" instead of "this policy is amazing and wonderful because we will move toward good things and away from bad things and think of the children all who disagree support terrorism".
gollark: Yes, make them flat and unconvincing, stop politicians trying to get emotional points through.
gollark: What?
gollark: Exactly, ban those.

References
  1. "Solandra grandiflora". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 16 November 2015.
  2. Lötschert, W. & Beese, G. ( translated by Clive King ) 1994 Collins Photo Guide to Tropical Plants pub. Harper Collins. ISBN 0 00 219112 1. Page 51.
  3. https://wiki.tripsit.me/wiki/Cup_of_Gold Retrieved at 11.48am on 17/5/19
  4. Quattrocchi, Umberto (2012). CRC World dictionary of medicinal and poisonous plants: common names, scientific names, eponyms, synonyms and etymology, pub. CRC Press Taylor and Francis Group. Vol. V: R-Z pps. 308-9.
  5. Tampion, John 1977, Dangerous Plants pub. David and Charles ISBN 0 7153 7375 7. Page 28 - heading: Solandra guttata.


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