I’m a Sucker for Suckering Solanums
Author & Photos: Glenn Leiper
Published: Journal March 2021
Image above: Solanum johnsonianum growing in Brigalow forest near Moura
Most native plant enthusiasts and gardeners have a negative impression of Solanums (commonly known as Nightshades) and because many are exotic/weed species and also many (both exotic and native species) are armed with copious spines, this is arguably a well deserved opinion.
However, there are some species that lack the vicious defence armoury and prove to be wonderful plants in cultivation. I have grown five species, all very closely related, that have proven to be long-lived and attractive in the home setting. All have softly hairy leaves with a texture like velvet. All are relatively short (most growing to less than 60cm tall), and all have pretty mauve to purple flowers for much of the year. They will often set small red fruit (that aren’t edible, even though they’re related to tomatoes) but I haven’t been successful in germinating any from these fruit to date.
Solanum densevestitum at Brisbane Forest Park
Solanum nemophilum growing at Leyburn
Solanum hapalum
Their main method of population expansion is by sending up suckers or new plants from their root system. For some gardeners, this might be a deal breaker, but for me I like the fact that the plant will move around as it sees fit. After a few years, some of these Solanums can move metres from their original location and create an attractive thicket in the process if allowed. Recently I saw such a thicket at the Mount Coot-tha Botanic Gardens where one species had spread rapidly on a slope in the forest planting and created an area of a few square metres of velvety colourful plants.
The species that I have trialled have been Felty Nightshade Solanum densevestitum which is a widespread species, Tall Felty Nightshade Solanum nemophilum which
appears to be the tallest of the group sometimes getting up to a metre tall and even more widespread, Furry Nightshade Solanum hapalum which is confined mainly to the Border Ranges region, Gympie Felty Nightshade Solanum gympiense which has the most attractive foliage of the group, and my favourite Brigalow Felty Nightshade Solanum johnsonianum named after the former Queensland Herbarium Director Bob Johnson, and which has the smallest leaves and densest form.
Brigalow Felty Nightshade is a threatened species that occurs in some Brigalow Acacia harpophylla dominated forests, often on black soil, where its habitat is threatened by invasion of the insidious weed Buffel Grass Cenchrus ciliaris. This grass was intentionally brought into the country for pasture 'improvement' but also causes forest habitat decimation when it invades these natural areas so is recognised now as an environmental weed.
Keeping any of these suckering Solanum species in a pot or tub is only a short-term proposition as they require room to sucker and spread. I’ve lost a couple of lovely specimens of large-leaved forms of these Solanums over the years while I’ve waited to plant them out from their pots.
These Solanums are unfortunately never available in the nursery trade, but keep your eyes peeled for a specimen that might be available from a grower from time to time who divides a population and pots up some suckers. To me, they are some of the unheralded gems amongst our native flora waiting to be 'discovered'.
Solanum gympiense growing at Fairlie's Knob
Solanum johnsonianum growing in Brigalow forest near Moura