Wolf Apple
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| Solanum lycocarpum | ||||||||||||||
The Wolf Apple (Solanum lycocarpum) is common in the Brazilian savanna. The plant is called lobeira ("Wolf's Plant") or fruta-de-lobo ("Wolf's Fruit") in Portuguese. Wolf Apples may account for a large fraction of the Maned Wolf's diet (up to 50%).
Description
The plants are shrubs ranging in height from 1.2 to 3 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 Brazilian savannah but has been said to grow in San Antonio, TexasTemplate:Fact.
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
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)
- 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