The group is sister to the species-rich monophyletic Old World clade of spiny solanums. The species of the group have an amphitropical distribution, with three species in Mexico and the southwestern United States and three species in Argentina. Solanum elaeagnifolium occurs in both North and South America, and is a noxious invasive weed in dry areas worldwide. Members of the group are highly variable morphologically, and this variability has led to much synonymy, particularly in the widespread S. elaeagnifolium.
We here review the taxonomic history, morphology, relationships and ecology of these species and provide keys for their identification, descriptions, full synonymy (including designations of lectotypes) and nomenclatural notes. Illustrations, distribution maps and preliminary conservation assessments are provided for all species.
- Taxonomy and relationships
- Biology and natural history
- Species concepts
- Materials and
- Taxonomic treatment
- The Solanum elaeagnifolium clade
- Artificial key to the species of the S. elaeagnifolium clade
- Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.
- Solanum hindsianum Benth.
- Solanum homalospermum Chiarini
- Solanum houstonii Martyn
- mortonii Hunz.
- Names not validly published
- Appendix 1. Index to numbered collections