This species is related to Solanum vestissimum, and the two have often been confused[].

Common Name:

General Information

Solanum hyporhodium is a sparsely armed, woody perennial or small tree growing 2 - 5 metres tall[].
The edible fruit is gathered from the wild for local use.

Known Hazards

Although providing many well-known foods for people, including the potato, tomato, pepper and aubergine, most species in this genus also contain toxic alkaloids. Whilst these alkaloids can make the plant useful in treaing a range of medical conditions, they can also cause problems such as nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, weakness and respiratory depression[].
Unless there are specific entries with information on edible uses, it would be unwise to ingest any part of this plant[].

Botanical References

Range

S. America - Venezuela; Caribbean - Trinidad.

Habitat

Understories and openings of pre-montane forests and cloud forests, at elevations from 700 - 1,500 metres[].

Properties

Habit	Tree
Height	3.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

A plant of the moist tropics, where it is found at elevations up to 1,500 metres. It grows best in areas where annual daytime temperatures are within the range 18 - 26°c, but can tolerate 10 - 30°c[]. It prefers a mean annual rainfall in the range 800 - 1,100mm, but tolerates 700 - 1,200mm[].
Prefers a sunny position[]. Grows best in a light, moderately fertile soil[]. Prefers a pH in the range 6.8 - 7.2, tolerating 6.5 - 7.5[].
Fruits can be harvested about 210 days after planting[].

Edible Uses

Fruit[]. The orange, globose fruit is 30 - 45mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

None known

Propagation

Seed - sow in trays in a nursery. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and grow them on fast. Plant them out when 10cm or more tall.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood. Very easy, the cuttings root within a couple of weeks.

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