View source for Wolf Apple

{{Taxobox | color = lightgreen
| name = Wolf Apple
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Solanum]]''
| species = '''''S. lycocarpum'''''
| binomial = ''Solanum lycocarpum''
}}

The '''Wolf Apple''' (''Solanum lycocarpum'') is common in the [[Brazil]]ian [[savanna]].  The plant is called '''''lobeira''''' ("Wolf's Plant") or '''''fruta-de-lobo''''' ("Wolf's Fruit") in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]]. Wolf Apples may account for a large fraction of the [[Maned Wolf]]'s diet (up to 50%). 

==Description==
The plants are [[shrub]]s ranging in height from 1.2 to 3 [[Meter|m]]. The fruit is yellow in color and resembles a medium sized [[tomato]].   

Parts of the plant are poisonous if it gets in your system. When it is in bloom, it is medium blue. It blooms in the late winter, early spring, late fall, early winter, and mid winter. It is velvety or fuzzy. It needs water regularly. It is found in the [[Cerrado|Brazilian savannah]] but has been said to grow in San Antonio, Texas{{Fact|date=February 2007}}.

It is called the wolf apple because [[maned wolves]] eat them. It is not actually an apple but instead it is similar to a big green tomato. It has leaves covered with white hairs that make them look gray. The flowers are shaped like a star, and are blue with yellow stamens. Scientific research is being made for medicinal purposes.

It grows in wet, red clay. It needs water regularly. It doesn’t need as much water in the winter because it needs full sunlight, and mild temperatures. They are edible by humans.

==See also==
* [[List of plants of Cerrado vegetation of Brazil]]

== References ==
* [[M. Motidome]], [[M. E. Leekning]], and [[O. R. Gottlieb]] ''A química de Solanáceas brasileiras. 1 - A presenca de solamargina e de solasonina no juá e na lobeira.'' [[Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências]] '''42''': 375–376 (1970).
* [[J.A. Lombardi]] and [[J.C.  Motta Jr.]]) ''Seed dispersal of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) by the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger (Mammalia, Canidae).'' [[Ciência e Cultura]] '''45''': 126–127 (1993). (in [[Portuguese (language)|Portuguese]])
* [[A.T. Oliveira-Filho]] and [[L. C. A. Oliveira]]. ''Biologia floral de uma população de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) em Lavras.'' [[Revista Brasileira de Botânica]] '''11''': 23–32 (1988).
* http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58603/index.html

== External links ==
*[http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/fruit_for_wolves.htm Trade Winds Fruit]
*[http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58603/ Dave's Garden]

{{fruit-stub}}

[[Category:Solanum]]
[[Category:Flora of Brazil]]
[[Category:Fruit]]