- Wolf Apple
Taxobox | name = Wolf Apple
regnum =Plant ae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis =Magnoliopsida
ordo =Solanales
familia =Solanaceae
genus = "Solanum "
species = "S. lycocarpum"
binomial = "Solanum lycocarpum"
binomial_authority = A.St.-Hil.The Wolf Apple ("Solanum lycocarpum") is common in the
Brazil iansavanna . The plant is called "lobeira" ("Wolf's Plant") or "fruta-de-lobo" ("Wolf's Fruit") in Portuguese. Wolf Apples may account for a large fraction of theManed Wolf 's diet (up to 50%).Description
The plants are
shrub s ranging in height from 1.2 to 3 m. The fruit is yellow in color and resembles a medium sizedtomato . They are edible by humans, although parts of the plant are poisonous. When it is in bloom, it is medium blue. It blooms in the late winter, early spring, late fall, early winter, and mid winter. It is velvety or fuzzy. It is found in the Brazilian savannah but has been said to grow in San Antonio,Texas .Fact|date=February 2007It is called the wolf apple because maned wolves eat them. It is not actually an apple but instead it is similar to a big green
tomato . It has leaves covered with white hairs that make them look gray. The flowers are shaped like a star, and they are blue with yellowstamen s. Scientific research is being made for medicinal purposes.fact|date=January 2008It grows in wet, red clay. It needs water regularly. However, it does not need as much water in the winter because it needs full sunlight, and mild temperatures.
ee also
*
List of plants of Cerrado vegetation of Brazil References
*
M. Motidome ,M. E. Leekning , andO. R. Gottlieb "A química de Solanáceas brasileiras. 1 - A presenca de solamargina e de solasonina no juá e na lobeira."Anais da Academia Brasileira de Ciências 42: 375–376 (1970).
*J.A. Lombardi andJ.C. Motta Jr. ) "Seed dispersal of Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) by the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus Illiger (Mammalia, Canidae)."Ciência e Cultura 45: 126–127 (1993). (in Portuguese)
*A.T. Oliveira-Filho andL. C. A. Oliveira . "Biologia floral de uma população de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) em Lavras."Revista Brasileira de Botânica 11: 23–32 (1988).External links
* [http://davesgarden.com/pf/go/58603/ Dave's Garden]
* [http://www.tradewindsfruit.com/fruit_for_wolves.htm Trade Winds Fruit]
Wikimedia Foundation. 2010.
