Solanum hamulosum C.T.White

White, C.T. (1933) Contributions from the Arnold Arboretum of Harvard University 4: 95. Type: Queensland, Boonjie, Atherton Tableland, 23 Sept. 1929, S. F. Kajewski 1222; holo: BRI; iso: K.

Nightshade; Dirran Curse

Usually flowers and fruits as a shrub about 1-4 m tall.

Twigs, petioles and both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blade clothed in stellate hairs. These stellate hairs have a large vetical central spine. Twigs, petioles and the midrib on the underside of the leaf blade armed with recurved spines. Spines, if present on the upper surface of the leaf blade are straight. Mature leaf blades about 10-15 x 6-9 cm, margins smooth or shallowly lobed, petioles about 2-6 cm long.

Inflorescence up to 12-flowered. Pedicels about 10-15 mm long. Calyx about 5-6 mm long, lobes about 3-5 mm long, outer surface clothed in stellate hairs. Corolla about 15-35 mm diam., outer surface clothed in stellate hairs. Anthers about 5-6 mm long. Ovary glabrous or upper part and style clothed in stellate hairs.

Fruits globular, about 15-35 mm diam. Seeds numerous, about 1.5-2 mm long. Embryo coiled, cotyledons no wider than the radicle.

At the tenth leaf stage: leaf blade margins very coarsely toothed or lobed. Stem, petiole and both the upper and lower surfaces of the leaf blade clothed in stellate hairs and straight spines.

Endemic to NEQ. Altitudinal range from 650-1500 m. Grows in disturbed areas in well developed upland and mountain rain forest.