Solanum semiarmatum
n = ploidy missing =12 voucher: Randell 47 (ADW) (Randell & Symon 1976)
Solanum semiarmatum is found in Australia along the “scenic rim” of south-eastern Queensland, from Lamington N.P. to Mt. Mistake, and adjacent areas of New South Wales south to Kyogle. It inhabits open areas within or on the margins of tall notophyll rainforest, at altitudes generally above 800 metres.
Solanum semiarmatum is a typical member of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum. It is placed into the S. semiarmatum group (Group 13A) by Bean (2004) on morphological grounds; its phylogenetic position has not been investigated using molecular data.
Symon, D.E. 1981. A revision of Solanum in Australia.
J. Adelaide Bot. Gard. 4: 1-367.
Bean, A.R. 2004. The taxonomy and ecology of Solanum subg. Leptostemonum (Dunal) Bitter (Solanaceae) in Queensland and far north-eastern New South Wales.
Austrobaileya 6 (4): 639-816.
Solanum semiarmatum is closely related to S. mitchellianum, which was for many years included in synonymy with it. Solanum mitchellianum is however amply different by virtue of the shallowly lobed or entire adult leaves, stellae on the lower leaf surface sessile or with stalks <0.3 mm long, ovary glabrous or with stellae only (with very short, gland-tipped hairs only for S. semiarmatum), styles glabrous or with stellae (with very short, gland-tipped hairs only for S. semiarmatum), and calyx prickles absent (present for S. semiarmatum).
Conservation status: Not considered at risk.