Potato Tree
Solanum erianthum
Plant Family: Solanaceae
Leaves: Alternate, simple, light green, narrowly elliptic, large, up to 30 cm long, soft and downy to the touch; the apices may be rounded or pointed.
Bark: Light brown, hairy, the branches are covered with large leaf scars.
Flowers: White with 5 petals, stamens yellow, held in flat-topped clusters at the branch ends at any time of year.
Fruits: A green stalked berry that ripens to yellow, to 2 cm in diameter, covered with fine hairs; potentially all year, peaking in the fall.
Habitat: Open hammock edges, roadsides, field edges, disturbed sites; it is considered a pioneer species.
Growth Form: Shrub to small tree.
Key Feature: Not likely to be confused with other species, the large, light green, soft velvety leaves are the best field mark.
Comments: Potato Tree is a West Indian species that has been introduced into other tropical countries for the medicinal uses of the leaves, which may be taken internally as a tea or applied to the skin as a poultice. Potato Tree is in the same plant family as the garden potato.
