Scientific Name:
Lycianthes rantonnetii
Pronunciation:
lish-ee-AN-theez ran-toh-NET-ee-eye
Common Name:
blue potato bush
Family Name:
Solanaceae
Plant Type:
Annual (grown as), Herbaceous perennial
Key ID Features:
Leaves elliptic, blades 3-6(-10)cm long x 2-5cm wide, margin entire, base cuneate, apex acute or acuminate; petiole 0.5-1.5cm long, winged in upper part by extension of lamina base; flowers funnelform, 2-3cm wide, axillary, singluar or in clusters of 2-5, pedicels 15-25mm long, calyx 4-5mm long, most bluish with yellow centres; berries red-black, 1-2cm wide.
Habit:
Arching
Form:
Oval - vertical
Texture:
Medium
Mature Height:
1.3 - 2.0m
Mature Spread:
0.6 - 1.0m
Growth Rate:
Fast
Origin:
South America (Argentina)
Hardiness Rating:
Zone 7: (-18 to -12 °C)
Exposure:
Full sun
Soil/Growing Medium:
Humus rich
Water Use:
Moderate
Landscape Uses:
Bedding plant, Container planting, Summer interest (Caution: poisonous parts)
Additional Info:
Leaf Morphology:
Form:
Simple
Arrangement:
Alternate
Texture/Venation:
Soft flexible, Pinnate venation
Surfaces:
Pubescent
Colour in Fall:
Yellow
Shapes:
Elliptic, Ovate
Apices:
Acute
Bases:
Attenuate
Margins:
Dentate, Pinnately lobed, Sinuate
Inflorescence Type:
Floriferous
Flower Morphology:
Flowers perfect
Number Of Petals:
5
Corolla Shape:
Funnelform
Ovary Position:
Superior
Colour (petals):
Showy, White, Yellow, Blue, Violet, Purple
Flower Scent:
Fragrant
Flower Time at Peak:
May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep
Fruit Type:
Berry (true)
Fruit Colour:
Red
Fruiting Time:
Sep, Oct
Additional Info:
Showy
Bark or Stem Colour:
Brown
Propagation:
Seed
Maintenance:
Low
Pest Susceptibility:
Aphids or adelgids (Pest resistant, Disease resistant)
