Wolf Apple

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Wolf Apple

Kingdom:	Plantae
Division:	Magnoliophyta
Class:	Magnoliopsida
Order:	Solanales
Family:	Solanaceae
Genus:	Solanum
Species:	S. lycocarpum

Binomial name

Solanum lycocarpum

The Wolf Apple (Solanum lycocarpum) is common in the Brazilian savanna. 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 the Maned Wolf's diet (up to 50%).

1 Description
2 See also
3 References
4 External links

[edit] Description

The plants are shrubs ranging in height from 1.2 to 3 m. The fruit is yellow in color and resembles a medium sized tomato.

South America and limits of Brazilian savannah (Cerrado) ecoregion in yellow

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.^{[citation needed]}

It 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 yellow stamens. Scientific research is being made for medicinal purposes.^{[citation needed]}

It 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.

[edit] See also

List of plants of Cerrado vegetation of Brazil

[edit] References

M. Motidome, M. E. Leekning, and O. 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 and J.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 and L. C. A. Oliveira. Biologia floral de uma população de Solanum lycocarpum St. Hil. (Solanaceae) em Lavras. Revista Brasileira de Botânica 11: 23–32 (1988).
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