Solanum esuriale
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species:
S. esuriale
Binomial name
Solanum esuriale

Solanum esuriale is a species of perennial herbaceous plant native to Australia.[1]

Other names

Most commonly called quena (may also be spelled quenna),[2] S. esuriale is often grouped with bush tomatoes.[3] However, it should not be confused with S. centrale, which is produced commercially under this name.[4] It is also sometimes referred to as potato weed,[5] or potato bush.[6]

In the language of the Yuwaalaraay people of north-western New South Wales, quena is called bulumburr.[7] In Nyangumarta, the traditional owners of a region of north Western Australia, the plant is known as jinyjiwirrily.[8]

Description

Small quena (Solanum esuriale) with unripe green berries.
Small quena (Solanum esuriale) with unripe green berries.

The plant is green-grey in colour, and grows 15 to 30 cm tall with branches at or near to the ground. Unlike other Solanum species, it typically does not have prickles, but if present they will be sparse and towards the base of the plant. The plant is covered all over with dense pale stellate hairs.

The leaves are oblong or oblong-lanceolate in shape. Lower leaves are 5-8 cm long, while adult leaves are generally shorter at 3-7 cm long. Flowers appear in 2-6 cymes. Flowers are a 5-pointed star, most often purple, with 5 yellow anthers that are 3 to 5mm long.[9]

The berry is spherical or ovoid, 10 to 15mm diameter, and has a pointed base. An unripe berry is pale green, and it ripens to light yellow or brown. At no stage does the berry have stripes.[10] Seeds are 2–3 mm long, pale yellow-brown.[7]

It may be confused with many other Solanum with overlapping distributions, including western nightshade (S. coactiliferum), potato bush (S. cleistogamum), and silverleaf nightshade (S. elaeagnifolium); the later of these is invasive to Australia and considered a noxious weed.[10] Variation in leaf morphology of other Solanum species means differentiation is difficult outside of the summer to autumn fruiting season. The pointed based and lack of stripes on the berry are a distinguishing feature of the quena.[10]

Distribution and habitat

Solanum esuriale has been located across the Australian mainland, with distribution primarily within arid zones of Victoria, New South Wales, South Australia, and Queensland. It is typically found in sandy soils near creek beds and pools of water,[10] but is also associated with other ecological communities including wooded downs (defined by dominance of Acacia cana) and gidgee (defined by dominance of Acacia cambagei) communities.[11]

In overgrazed regions of western Queensland, it has been found to be most dominant on cracking clay. In this region it has been identified as a pioneer species.[12]

Ecology

Dispersal of the seed has not been specifically described for S. esuriale. However, as with other Solanum species, distribution is most likely through consumption of the berry by mammals and birds, including sheep. Lizards are less likely to be dispersers as the berry is firm, which is generally less attractive to lizard species.[13]

Uses

Culinary

As with other bush tomatoes, S. esuriale is traditionally a valuable food source for Indigenous Australians;[3] the term "esu'riale" has been used to describe "appeasing hunger" in specific reference to the fruits of the quena.[14]

Preparation for eating is uncertain, but likely to be similar to other Solanum species, with the fruit eaten fresh, dried, or cooked; the seeds may or may not need to be removed prior to eating.[3] The fruit is reportedly sweet.[8]

Agriculture

Sheep are known to readily eat the fruits,[15] but the remainder of the plant is considered unpalatable herbage.[12] Even when dried and powered, addition of S. esuriale leaves and stems to feed has shown limited success for ingestrion by sheep during experimental intake. Despite association, S. esuriale has not been definitively found to cause humpy back in sheep.[15]

The eggfruit caterpillar (Leucinodes cordalis), a common agricultural pest, are known to eat the fruit.[15]

Skincare

Extract of S. esuriale, as well as extract of S. glaucophyllum, has been patented for use in topical skincare products by Johnson & Johnson as a method of treating dry skin, skin with a compromised barrier, or as an anti-aging treatment.[16]

References

  1. ↑ "Quena (Solanum esuriale)". iNaturalist. Retrieved 2022-06-05.
  2. ↑ Hunt, J. R.; Cousens, R. D.; Knights, S. E. "The Biology of Australian Weeds 51. Heliotropium europaeum L." Plant Protection Quarterly. 23 (4): 146–152.
  3. 1 2 3 Samuels, John (2015). "Biodiversity of Food Species of the Solanaceae Family: A Preliminary Taxonomic Inventory of Subfamily Solanoideae". Resources. 4 (2): 277–322. doi:10.3390/resources4020277.
  4. ↑ "Bush Tomato". Warndu. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  5. ↑ Silcock, R.G; Jones, P; Hall, T.J; Waters, D.K (2005), Enhancing pasture stability and profitability for producers in Poplar Box and Silver-leaved Ironbark woodlands, Meat & Livestock Australia Limited, p. 55, retrieved 6 June 2022
  6. ↑ Hall, Trevor J; Milson, Jenny; Hall, Cristine (2020), Pasture recovery, land condition and some other observations after the monsoon flooding, chill event in north-west Queensland in Jan-Mar 2019, State of Queensland, p. 10, retrieved 6 June 2022
  7. 1 2 "Solanum esuriale Lindl". Atlas of Living Australia.
  8. 1 2 "Traditional Ecological Knowledge of Nyangumarta Warrarn Indigenous Protected Area" (PDF). Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  9. ↑ "Fact sheet for Solanum esuriale". Electronic Flora of South Australia species. The State Herbarium of South Australia. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  10. 1 2 3 4 John, Heap; Wu, Hanwen. "Silverleaf Nightshade: Australian Best Practice Management Manual 2018" (PDF). NSW Department of Primary Industries. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
  11. ↑ Miles, R.L (1989), Soils of Rosebank Research Station, Longreach, Queensland [1st. ed.], State of Queensland. Department of Primary Industries, retrieved 6 June 2022
  12. 1 2 Roberts, Brian. R (1978), Ecological studies on pasture condition in semi-arid Queensland [1978 reprint], State of Queensland. Dept. of Primary Industries, retrieved 6 June 2022
  13. ↑ Symon, D. E. "Fruit Diversity and Dispersal in Solanum in Australia". Journal of the Adelaide Botanic Gardens. 2 (6): 321–331.
  14. ↑ Bailey, Frederick Manson (1897). A Companion for the Queensland Student of Plant Life and Botany Abridged (2 ed.). Department of Agriculture, Queensland. p. 75. doi:10.5962/bhl.title.129829.
  15. 1 2 3 Dunster, P. J.; McKenzie, R. A. (1987). "Does Solanum esuriale cause humpyback in sheep?". Australian Veterinary Journal. 64 (4): 119–120. doi:10.1111/j.1751-0813.1987.tb09648.x. PMID 3619797.
  16. ↑ "Extracts of Solanum esuriale and Solanum glaucophyllum and Methods of Treating Skin". United States Patent Application 20140147523. Free Patents Online. Retrieved 6 June 2022.
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