PLATE 352. 
SoLANUM AURicuLATUM Ait. (Fl. Cap. Vol. IV., p. 94). 
Natural Order, Solanaceae. 
An miarined slirub reaching to 12 or 15 feet in height, and much branched, 
" branches, inflorescence, petiole and under sides of leaves densely covered Avith 
stellate, floccose tonientmn." Flowers violet-purple, with a central 5-rayed white 
star, one ray of which extends along J of the lobe. Jjcaves oblong or ovate- 
oblong, entire, accuminate, cnneate at base, midrib and veins very prominent 
beneath, pubescent with stellate hairs above ; 8 to 12 lines long by 3 to -Ig^ wide ; 
petiole 1 to 2 inches long, terete ; young axillary leaves, ovate to subrotund, 
curved resembling stipules. Inflorescence terminal, coryml^ose, many-floAvered ; 
peduncles up to 4 inches long. C-alj-x gamosepalous, canipanulate, 5-lobed, tube 
campanulate, lobes triangular, obtuse, the Avhole calyx 2h: inches long. Corolla 
gamopetalous, 5-lobed, lobes oblong, acute, spreading to 7 to 8 lines diameter, 
glabroTis above, finely stellate pubescent lieneatli. Stamens 5, erect, inserted in 
throat of tube, filaments very short, anthers 2-eelled, opening by two ol)lique, 
apical pores. Ovary 2-celled, many-ovuled, clothed with straight simple hairs : 
style longer than stamens ; stigma clavate. Fruit a globose, many-seeded berry, 
5-8 lines diameter, stellate-tomentose, yellow when ripe. Seeds small, yellow, 
rugose. 
Habitat : Natal, near Durban, 100 feet alt. Wood No. 110 : 1298 : " Also in 
Mascarene Islands and (Vntral and South Tropical America." 
This is the tallest species of the genus that Ave have in Natal, often liaA^ng 
the appearance of a small tree ; it is most probably an imported species, though it 
has evidently been in the Colony for many years as Wood's 1298 was collected in 
1881. It is confined to the Coast districts, and was, about 1881, only found in 
the vicinit}^ of toAvns, since that time it has become more widely distributed. It 
is known to the natives as im-Toto\'ani, they do not use it in any AA'ay, but say 
that birds are very fond of the seeds. 
Fig. 1, lower portion of l)ranch shoAving leaves ; 2, upper portion of l^ranch 
with inflorescence ; 3, fruit ; 4, floAver ; 5, calyx ; 6, corolla opened ; 7, stamen ; 
8, pistil ; 9, stellate hair from leaf. Except figures 1, 2, 3, all enlarged. 
