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Cyphomandra hartwegii (Miers) DunalSolanaceae– Tomato Family |
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Description. Treelet to 7 m; sympodial growth pattern, leaves alternate, glabrous, ovate to heart-shaped, stem leaves often larger and deeply lobed, strong rank odor; long-lasting pendant inflorescences with 2 cm purple-blue flowers; fruit elliptic to 3 cm, with fleshy rind and many seeds. Similar species: Solanum chrysotrichum- lobed stem leaves, spines, erect, not pendant inflorescences and fruit. Cyphomandra betacea- the cultivated tree tomato. Local distribution. Atlantic slope from lowlands to about 1200 m; less common on the Pacific slope mostly to the north of Monteverde (Los Llanos to Las Nubes). Habitat. Light gaps in primary forest, forest edge, secondary forest. Species range. Abundance. Common Phenology. Flower: most of the year, but especially wet season. Fruit: most of the year.
Herbivores. Pteronymia lonera, Thyridia psidii Pollinators. Orchid bees (Apidae, Euglossinae) Seed dispersers. Arboreal mammals Comments. Recently lumped with the genus Solanum as S. circinatum Bohs. Stem leaves tend be to much larger than crown leaves and are often deeply lobed. The pendant inflorescences arising at twig divergences are distinctive, (most Solanum spp. have erect inflorescences). The plants almost always grow in light gaps or old clearings. The fruit are eaten in Panama. Voucher No. Haber 9233 |
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