A revision of the Morelloid Clade of Solanum L. (Solanaceae) in North and Central America and the Caribbean

The Morelloid Clade, also known as the black nightshades or “Maurella” (Morella), is one of the 10 major clades within the mega-diverse genusSolanumL. The clade is most species rich in the central to southern Andes, but species occur around the tropics and subtropics, some extending well into the temperate zone. Plants of the group are herbaceous or short-lived perennials, with small white or purplish white flowers, and small juicy berries. Due to the complex morphological variation and weedy nature of these plants, coupled with the large number of published synonyms (especially for European taxa), our understanding of species limits and diversity in the Morelloid Clade has lagged behind that of other major groups inSolanum. Here we provide the second in a three-part series of revisions of the morelloid solanums treating the species occurring in North and Central America and the Caribbean (for the Old World see “PhytoKeys 106”, the third part will treat species of South America). Synonymy, morphological descriptions, distribution maps, and common names and uses are provided for all 18 species occurring in this region. We treat 10 of these species as native, and eight as putatively naturalised, introduced and/or invasive in the region. We provide complete descriptions with nomenclatural details, including lecto- and neotypifications, for all species. Keys to all species occurring in the whole region and for each area within it (i.e., North America, Central America and Mexico, and the islands of the Caribbean), illustrations to aid identification both in herbaria and in the field, and distribution maps are provided. Preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species. Details of all specimens examined are provided in three Supplementary materials sections.

Keragaman Morfologi dan Kandungan Tanin pada Tanaman Leunca [Solanum nigrum (L.)]

Black nightshades [Solanum nigrum (L.)] is an indigenous vegetable originatied from tropical and subtropical regions. In Indonesia, black naightshades widely spread in Java, especially West Java. Black nightshades has a bitter taste caused by the content of tannins. The objective of this study was to identify and analyze the morphological and tannin content of 20 black nightshades accessions. The research was started with germplasm exploration in November 2015-February 2016, followed by planting and analysis until September 2016 at a laboratory of the Center for Tropical Horticultural Studies (PKHT) IPB. The experiment was arranged in a single-factor randomized complete block design with three replications. The results from cluster analysis based on morphological variability showed that the accessions of black nightshades can be grouped into two groups. The accessions had different fruit tannin contents, and some accessions can be selected for breeding material.Keywords: group analysis, indigenous vegetable, qualitative character, quantitative character

A new black nightshade (Morelloid clade, Solanum, Solanaceae) from the caatinga biome of north-eastern Brazil with a key to Brazilian morelloids

Solanumcaatingaesp. nov.is described from the arid caatinga biome of north-eastern Brazil. It is known from only a few specimens, but these were found amongst the many sheets of the widespread circumtropical weedS.americanumMill.; it is possible that more will be found once its distinct nature has been recognised. It differs fromS.americanumand all other herbaceous black nightshades known in Brazil, in its combination of glandular pubescence and shiny black fruit with small spreading sepals. The description ofS.caatingaebrings the number of morelloid solanums in Brazil to seven and a key is provided for their identification.

A revision of the Old World Black Nightshades (Morelloid clade of Solanum L., Solanaceae)

The Morelloid clade, also known as the black nightshades or “Maurella” (Morella), is one of the 10 major clades withinSolanumL. The pantropical clade consists of 75 currently recognised non-spiny herbaceous and suffrutescent species with simple or branched hairs with or without glandular tips, with a centre of distribution in the tropical Andes. A secondary centre of diversity is found in Africa, where a set of mainly polyploid taxa occur. A yet smaller set of species is found in Australasia and Europe, includingSolanumnigrumL., the type of the genusSolanum. Due to the large number of published synonyms, combined with complex morphological variation, our understanding of species limits and diversity in the Morelloid clade has remained poor despite detailed morphological studies carried out in conjunction with breeding experiments. Here we provide the first taxonomic overview since the 19thcentury of the entire group in the Old World, including Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and islands of the Pacific. Complete synonymy, morphological descriptions, distribution maps and common names and uses are provided for all 19 species occurring outside the Americas (i.e. Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and islands of the Pacific). We treat 12 species native to the Old World, as well as 7 taxa that are putatively introduced and/or invasive in the region. The current knowledge of the origin of the polyploid species is summarised. A key to all of the species occurring in the Old World is provided, together with line drawings and colour figures to aid identification both in herbaria and in the field. Preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species.

Phytoremediation of Soil in the Wastewater Irrigation Area of the Western of Shenyang

The phytoremediation of jointly contaminated farmland soil with Cd and PAHs was studied in the long-term and representative wastewater irrigation area in Northeast China. Black nightshades (Solanum nigrum L), proved to be a Cd-hyperaccumulator was taken to remove the Cd contaminant from soil during one growing seasons in field test and thirteen lawn grasses and pasture grasses were taken to remediate the PAHs in pot experiments. Results showed that the residual concentrations Cd and PAHs were 1.94~3.69 mg/kg (dry weight) and 1.69~2.71 mg/kg (dry weight), respectively, still much higher than the Soil Quality Standard after the stop of wastewater irrigation for more than 20 years. The black nightshades could tolerate and grow well in the jointly contaminated farmland, with the distribution sequence of Cd in the order of leaf> stem> fruit> root, and the removal rate in the high-density black nightshade treatment was 1.40 percent in one growing season, higher than that in the moderate-density treatment and low-density treatment. Alfalfa, rye grass, Balin, tall fescue and white clover were more efficient than others of the tested thirteen grasses for the remediation of PAH-contaminated soil.