Solanum olympicum, OLYMPICUM Hassl.

Stern, Stephen, Bohs, Lynn, Giacomin, Leandro, Stehmann, João & Knapp, Sandra, 2013, A Revision of Solanum Section Gonatotrichum, Systematic Botany 38 (2), pp. 470-496 : 489-492

7. SOLANUM OLYMPICUM Hassl.,

Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 9: 116. 1911.

—TYPE: PARAGUAY. Alto Paraguay: Olimpo Berg [ Fuerte Olimpo ], Dec 1907 (fl, fr) K. Fiebrig 1392 (holotype: G–G00357994 !)

Solanum parcistrigosum Bitter, Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 12: 75. 1913.

—TYPE: PARAGUAY. Estancia Sta. Maria, 18 Feb 1898 (fr), J. D. Anisits 2866 (holotype: S-04– 2965 !).

Herb, sometimes slightly woody at base, single- to fewbranched, 1–4 dm tall. Stems sparsely to densely pubescent with two-celled unbranched hairs, these geniculate between first and second cells and pointing apically, very rarely with straight hairs. Sympodia 2-foliate, usually geminate. Leaf blades 1.5–7 + 1–3 cm, elliptic to ellipticovoid, chartaceous to membranaceous, sparsely to moderately pubescent adaxially and abaxially with 1 or 2-celled unbranched geniculate hairs, these lying flat along blade, denser along veins; base rounded to obtuse, often decurrent into petiole; apex acute; petioles 0.5 –2.5 cm, moderately pubescent with unbranched geniculate hairs. Inflorescences with 1– 5 flowers, the axes sparsely to moderately pubescent with unbranched hairs; peduncle absent or nearly so; rachis absent; pedicels 5– 15 mm in flower, 10 –20 mm in fruit. Flowers with the calyx 3–10 mm long, the tube 1–3 mm, the lobes 2–7 + 0.5 –1.5 mm, linear-lanceolate, moderately to densely pubescent. Corolla 0.5–1.5 cm in diameter, rotate with abundant interpetalar tissue, chartaceous to membranaceous, white, the tube 3 –6 mm long, the lobes very short, 1–2 + 0.5 –1 mm, triangular, acute at apices, glabrous abaxially and adaxially. Stamens 2–4 mm; filaments up to 1 mm long, one filament 0.25 –0.5 mm longer then the others; anthers 1.5–3 mm + 0.5 –1.5 mm, oblong, the base cordate, the apex emarginate. Ovary glabrous; style 4–6 + 0.5 –1 mm, equal to or exserted beyond stamens; stigma to 1 mm wide. Berries 5 –12 mm in diameter, globose, white to yellow when immature, maturing semitransparent, drying brown, glabrous, the mesocarp watery and held under pressure until dehiscing explosively at maturity. Seeds 10–35 per fruit, ca. 2.5 + 1.5 mm, with a small notch where connected to placenta, the margin not swollen, the surface with fine raised ridges radiating from center to edges and shallow ridges running parallel to margin. Figure 12 .

Habitat and Distribution— A weedy species of roadsides, rocky slopes, grassy areas, and forests in central southwest to eastern Brazil, eastern to central Bolivia, eastern Paraguay, and northwestern Argentina between 115–2,700 m in elevation ( Fig. 5 ).

Phenology— Flowering specimens have been collected January through March and September through November. Fruiting specimens have been collected January through May and August through November.

Conservation Status— The widespread distribution and abundant populations of S. olympicum give it an IUCN Red List Status of Least Concern.

Etymology— The epithet olympicum refers to the type locality which was collected in the hills near Fuerte Olimpo.

Additional Specimens Examined— BRAZIL. Bahia: Mun. Urandi, 7 km N de Urandi, aprox. 14 ° 48 ' S, 42 ° 38 ' W, ca. 600 m, 20 Nov 1992 (fl, fr), Arbo et al. 5613 (BHCB, CTES, NY, SPF). Goiás: Mun. Nova Roma, saída da cidade em direção a Iaciara, Fazenda Cachoeira (Proprietário Sr. Manoel R. G. de Sousa), 13 ° 44 ' 15 '' S, 46 ° 62 ' 11 '' W, 710 m, 1 Mar 2000 (fl, fr), Alvarenga et al. 1295 (IBGE, MO, NY, RB); Mun. Iaciara, Estrada Nova Roma-Iaciara, Fazenda Sobradinho, 7.6 km de Nova Roma, 13 ° 47 ' 53 '' S, 46 ° 51 ' 51 '' W, 466 m, 4 Nov 2003 (fl, fr), Mello-Silva 2286 (RB, SPF); Mun. Guarani do Goiás, fazenda Forquilha, proprietário Sr. Vigilato Francisco dos Santos, 13 ° 48 ' 29 '' S, 46 ° 32 ' 11 '' W, ca. 450 m, 6 Mar 2001 (fl, fr), Silva et al. 4860 (NY). Mato Grossodo Sul: Mun. Bonito, Fazenda Vale Verde, 13 Oct 2003 (fl, fr), Hatschbach et al. 76267 (MBM, NY); Mun. Miranda, Sede da Fazenda Guaicurus, Pantanal, 13 Jun 1973 (fl, fr), Silva 194 (SP); Mun. Taquarussu, Rio Baia, margem esquerda, 13 Dec 1992 (fl), Souza 2 (HNUP, RB); Mun. Jateí, Rio Ivinhema, Campinho, 11 Dec 1993 (fr), Souza 200 (HNUP, RB).

BOLIVIA. Beni: Prov. Ballivián, Espiritu en la zona de influencia del rio Yacuma, 200 m, 15 Oct 1980 (fl, fr), Beck 5063 (MO); Prov. Iténez, palmar de Copernicia alba, 11 Nov 1993 (fl), Moraes et al. 1791 (NY); Prov. Cercado, a 14 km de San Javier, en la carretera a Trinidad, 14 ° 43 ' 14.4 '' S, 64 ° 53 ' 51.1 '' W, 200 m, 20 Feb 2000 (fr), Orellana 786 (NY). Santa Cruz: Prov. Ñuflo Chávez, Estancia Las Delicias, Hacienda ganadera del Vicariato Concepción, 16 ° 29 ' S, 62 ° 03 ' W, 400 m, 14 Nov 2000 (fl, fr), Beck 25662 (M); vicinity of abandoned old Jardín Botánico along Rio Piraí and roadsides on Wside of Santa Cruz, 17 ° 47 ' S, 63 ° 13 ' W, 420 m, 28 Nov 1984 (fr), Nee 30473 (MO, NY); city of Santa Cruz, 17 ° 46 ' S, 63 ° 12 ' W, 400 m, (fl, fr), Nee 30494 (MO, NY); Prov. Andrés Ibañez, along road from Santa Cruz to Samaipata, 1 km SW of Angostura, 18 ° 09 ' S, 63 ° 31 ' W, 650 m, 13 Jan 1987 (fl, fr), Nee 33478 (NY); Prov. Andrés Ibañez, 1 km Nof center of Cotoca, 17 ° 45 ' S, 62 ° 59 ' W, 350 m, 15 Jan 1987 (fl, fr), Nee 33545 (NY); Prov. Andrés Ibañez, along Rio Piraí, 1 km Nof La Guardia, 17 ° 53 ' S, 63 ° 15 ' W, 460 m, 20 Jan 1987 (fl, fr), Nee 33710 (MO, NY, US); Prov. Florida, valley of Río Paredones, 0.5 km Nof Achiras camping resort, 18 ° 09 ' S, 63 ° 49 ' W, 1350 m, 8 Mar 1998 (fl, fr), Nee 48591 (NY); Prov. Cordillera, Sside of bridge over Río Seco, 18 ° 40.03 ' S, 63 ° 14.42 ' W, 550 m, 1 May 2001 (fl, fr), Nee et al. 51724 (BM, MO, NY); Prov. Cordillera, Cabezas, 420 m, 19 Feb 1945 (fl, fr), Pereolo 248 (A); Prov. A. Ibañez, flood plain of the Río Piraí, ca. 6 km NW of Santa Cruz, vicinity of the sewage settling ponds, 17 ° 45 ' S, 63 ° 11 ' W, 450 m, 22 Apr 1985 (fr), Solomon 13470 (MO). Tarija: between entre Rios and Cereré, 2700 m, Mar 1952 (fl, fr), Cardenas 4929 (US).

PARAGUAY. Alto Paraguay: Chaco, linea 3 (Oeste), km 50 [19 ° 42 ' S, 61 ° 18 ' W], 44 km al este de la pista de aviación de Cabrera (19 ° 42 ' S, 61 ° 19 ' W), 9 Nov 1992 (fl), Ramella et al. LR2924 (G); Amambay: ruta 3 y río Aquidabán, 23 Dec 1980 (fr), Schinini & Bordas 25042 (G). Caaguazú: cerca y al Norte de Yhú, 21 Feb 1982 (fl, fr), Casas FC6384 (G, MO); cerca y al Sur de Yhú, 24, Sep 1980 (fl), Casas FC3910 (NY); unos 5 km al Norte de Yhú, en una zona inundable en mayor o menor grado, 320 m, 12 Dec 1982 (fl, fr), Casas & Schinini 7460 (MO, NY); 15 km al Nde Caaguazú, cauuiuo a Yhú, 8 Feb 1966 (fl, fr), Krapovickas et al. 12568 (US); 10 –15 km Nof Caaguazú, 19 Feb 1994 (fl, fr), Pedersen 16075 (G); Arroyo Cambay, 22 ° 25 ' S, 55 ° 55 ' W, 10 Nov 1990 (fl, fr), Zardini & Velázquez 23807 (MO); Arroyo Yuquyry-Arroyo Taruma, 4 km Nof Arroyo Yuquyry, 25 ° 13 ' S, 55 ° 55 ' W, 12 Jan 1991 (sterile), Zardini & Velázquez 25858 (MO). Canendiyú: Mbaracayú Natural Reserve, administered by Fundación Moisés Bertoni, around Ñandurokai, 23 ° 59 ' 39 '' S, 55 ° 28 ' 44 '' W, 27 May 1999 (fl), Zardini & Chaparro 50809 (NY). Concepción: Estancia ñu Apua, 110 km N of Concepción, a 1500 m W. de la Adm., 19 Mar 1991 (fl), Eliceche 44 (MO); Paso Horqueta, Río Aquidabán, 41 km Nde Concepción, 140 m, 17 Dec 1983 (fl, fr), Vanni et al. 377 (G, NY); Estancia Bello Horizonte, Arroyo Tagatiyá-Guazú, 22 ° 45 ' 40 '' S, 57 ° 26 ' 15 '' W, 13 Oct 1994 (fr), Zardini & Guerrero 41286 (NY); Paso Horqueta, Rio Aquidaban, 20 ° 07 ' S, 57 ° 20 ' W, 18 Nov 1993 (fr), Zardini & Tilleria 37468 (G, MO, NY). Cordillera: Salto Piraretá, 25 ° 30 ' S, 56 ° 55 ' W, 18 Oct 1994 (fl, fr), Krapovickas et al. 45675 (G); 4 km SE of Emboscada on road to Nueva Colombia, 25 ° 09 ' S, 57 ° 14 ' W, 18 Nov 1991, (fl, fr), Zardini & T. Tillería 28888 (MO); Tobatí “Ybytú Silla” mesa, southern area, 25 ° 12 ' S, 57 ° 07 ' W, 297 m, 3 Mar 1991 (fr), Zardini & Velázquez 26963 (MO). Paraguari: National Park Ybycu’í, Northeastern area, 26 ° 01 ' S, 56 ° 46 ' W, 12 Mar 1992 (fr), Zardini & Guerrero 31042 (G, MO, NY); Tucangua, Cordillera de Altos, 25 ° 31 ' S, 57 ° 09 ' W, 9 Dec 1943, (fr), Rojas 10731 (MO). Without Dept.: N. Paraguay, zwischen Rio Apa und Rio Aquidaban, 1908/1909 (fl, fr), Fiebrig. 4408 = 4827 (BM, G, GH); Paraguay, 1885–1895 (fl), Hassler 1010 (G); in arenosis pr. Hacurubi, Dec 1885–1895 (fl), Hassler 1585 (G); Sapucay, Dec 1885–1895 (fl), Hassler 1638 (G); in silva pr. Cordillera de Altos, Jan 1885–1895 (fl), Hassler 1737 (G); in arenosis pr. Estero Troxler, Jan 1885–1895 (fl), Hassler 1793 (G); Paraguaria Centralis, in campo “Intacurabi”, Jan 1900 (fl), Hassler 3801 (BM, G, GH, NY); Yerbales” montium “Sierra de Maracayú”, in regione fluminis Tapiraguay, Aug (fl, fr), Hassler 4293 (G); Paraguay, (fl, fr), Hassler 4396 (UC); inter ad “Yerbales” montium “Sierra de Maracayú”, in regione vicine “Igatimí”, Oct 1898–1899 (fl, fr), Hassler 4841 (G); Cerros de Tobaty, (fl), Hassler 8069 (G, GH, MO, NY, S, UC, US); in regione lacus Ypacaray, Jan 1913 (fl, fr), Hassler 12141a (G); Paraguaria Centralis, in regione lacus Ypacaray, Apr 1913 (fl), Hassler 12441 (BM, G, GH, K, MO, NY, S, UC, US).

ARGENTINA. Jujuy: Dept. Valle Grande, ca. 10 km Nfrom San Francisco on road to Valle Grande, 23 ° 35.713 ' S, 64 ° 58.396 ' W, 1230 m, 17 Apr 2000 (fr), Nee & Bohs 50808 (NY); Dept. Valle Grande, along gravel and sandbars of Río Valle Grande, directly below (W of) San Francisco, 23 ° 37.5 ' S, 64 ° 57.5 ' W, 915 m, 20 Apr 2000 (fr), Nee & Bohs 50825 (NY). Salta: Hill San Bernardo just outside city of Salta, shady woods among rocks, 5 Mar 1983 (fr), Bohs 2109 (GH); Dept. Orán, a orillas del río Colorado, 30 Jan 1945 (fl), Krapovickas 1565 (US). Tucumán: Dept. Capital, El Cadillal, Jardín de las Americas, 27 Mar 1975 (fr), Krapovickas et al. 27853 (MO, WIS).

Notes— Solanum olympicum is the one of the two members of sect. Gonatotrichum, along with S. hoffmanseggii , with characteristic geniculate hairs. These hairs always bend between the first and second cells and point upwards. This trait is absent in some specimens from the northern extent of the species’ range in Bahia and Goiás, Brazil (including Arbo et al. 5613, Alvarenga et al. 1295, Mello-Silva 2286, and Silva et al. 4860). These specimens are disjunct in their distribution and have a mixture of hairs that are held perpendicular to the stem (similar in orientation but shorter than those of S. deflexum ; see Fig. 1 ) and hairs that are adpressed and lie flat along the stem. However, other morphological characteristics of these specimens correspond to the concept of S. olympicum, and molecular phylogenies place one of these Bahian specimens as sister to the other populations of S. olympicum. One specimen from Mato Grosso do Sul, Hatschbach et al. 76267, has a shrubby habit with a mixture of geniculate and glandular hairs. This might represent a new species or simply a shrubby example of S. olympicum; however, since this form is only represented by one specimen we have included the collection within S. olympicum.

Solanum olympicum is similar to S. hoffmanseggii , but these species can be distinguished by the narrow, lanceolate leaves and shrubby habit of S. hoffmanseggii compared with the elliptic to elliptic-ovoid leaves and herbaceous habit of S. olympicum. The flowers of S. olympicum are weakly heterantherous with one filament slightly elongated ( Fig. 12 ), which is typically only visible in living plants and differentiates it from the larger, strongly heterantherous flowers of S. turneroides and S. evolvuloides . Solanum olympicum also resembles S. adscendens , but the latter species has cordate leaves, a more branched, spreading growth form, and is restricted to Rio Grande do Sul in Brazil and neighboring parts of Argentina. The Bahian collections of S. olympicum lack glandular hairs on the stems and calyx, unlike the Bahian species S. evolvuloides , which has abundant glandular pubescence.

The protologue describing S. olympicum placed it in sect. Morella Dumort. (now sect. Solanum ) and until this revision the name S. olympicum has not been associated with sect. Gonatotrichum. All specimens of S. olympicum cited in this revision have been recently annotated as “ S. parcistrigosum ,” which was the accepted name until the earlier S. olympicum was discovered. The protologue describing S. olympicum clearly indicates that the specimen in the Hassler Herbarium in Geneva is the holotype. Bitter’s description of S. parcistrigosum cited only one specimen at the Stockholm herbarium, making this the holotype.

Figures

FIG. 12. Solanum olympicum (Bohs 3194, UT). A. Habit. B. Inflorescence with flower buds; note adpressed, geniculate hairs on stem. C. Mature fruit prior to dehiscence; note the skin becoming transparent as turgor pressure increases. D. Fruit after explosive dehiscence. Scale bars = 1 cm.

FIG. 5. Distribution of S. adscendens, S. evolvuloides, S. hoffmanseggii, S. olympicum, and S. turneroides.

FIG. 1. Scanning electron micrographs of hairs in section Gonatotrichum. A. Solanum turneroides stem; note the hairs oriented downward at an approximately 45° angle (Bohs 2715, UT). B. Higher magnification of S. turneroides; note that the base of the hair is swollen with what appear to be reduced ray cells. Also note the small glandular hairs below the long, simple hairs (Bohs 2715, UT). C. Stem of S. deflexum; note the hairs are simple and held perpendicular to the stem (Nee 51716, UT). D. Geniculate hairs of S. olympicum; note the sharp 90° angle between the first and second cells (Bohs 3194, UT). E. Stellate hairs on abaxial leaf surface of of S. lignescens (Hampshire et al. 1151, BM). F. Solanum evolvuloides glandular calyx hairs (Mattos Silva, s.n., CEPEC). Scale bars: A, C = 500 Mm. B = 50 Mm. D, E = 200 Mm. F = 100 Mm.