Common Name:

General Information

Solanum sanctaecatharinae is a semideciduous tree with an open, pyramidal crown; it can grow 3 - 6 metres tall. The short, cylindrical bole can be 15 - 25cm in diameter[].
The tree is sometimes harvested from the wild for local use of its low value wood. It is a good pioneer species for use in restoring native woodland and also establishing woodland gardens.

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 - Argentina, Paraguay, southern and eastern Brazil.

Habitat

Mixed forests and Araucaria forests, growing both in the primary forest and along its edges as well as in the more advanced stages of secondary growth; found in both wet and well-drained soils of various types[].

Properties

Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Tree
Height	4.50 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Succeeds in most light levels from full sun to fairly deep shade[]. Found growing wild in a wide range of soil types and moisture levels[].
Young plants have a rapid rate of growth[].
The fruits are a good food for the native birds[].

Edible Uses

None known

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

A fast-growing tree that is tolerant of full sun, succeeds in a wide range of soil types, moisture and light levels, and also provides food for the native fauna; it can be used as a pioneer species when restoring native woodland and establishing woodland gardens[].

Other Uses

The wood is coarse-textured, straight-grained, light in weight, easy to cut, with poor mechanical properties and very susceptible to the attacks of wood-eating organisms. It is only used for low value iems such as packing boxes and toys[].

Propagation

Seed - best sown as soon as it is ripe in a partially shaded position in a nursery seedbed. A germination rate of around 25% can be expected, with the seed sprouting within 40 - 60 days[].

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