Skip to main content
Glite Dictionary
Solanum wrightii

Solanum wrightii

9.9
A South American shrub or small tree grown for its flowers and leaves in tropical gardens, not a potato
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : Solanum wrightii
  • Unlike the common potato, Solanum wrightii does not produce edible tubers.

Examples

  • The Solanum wrightii is known for its beautiful purple flowers.

  • Solanum wrightii is often grown for its ornamental value in tropical gardens.

  • Botanists have noted that Solanum wrightii can adapt to a variety of soil types.

  • Many gardeners appreciate the Solanum wrightii for its ornamental value.

  • Solanum wrightii is often grown for its beautiful purple flowers in tropical gardens.

  • Many gardeners appreciate Solanum wrightii for its unique foliage and ornamental appearance.

  • In tropical regions, Solanum wrightii is favored for its lush growth and striking blooms.

Synonyms

Brazilian potato tree
vsSolanum wrightii
9.1

A South American bush or small tree with purple flowers that is not a true potato

is cultivated more widely across tropical regions rather than sometimes grown
potato tree
vsSolanum wrightii
8.1

A South American shrub not related to the edible potato that people grow for pretty purple flowers

is cultivated more broadly in tropical regions rather than only for ornament

Surface Forms

Solanum wrightii singular
Solanum wrightiis plural

Morphology

Solanum + wrightii

The Latin binomial structure (Solanum + wrightii) partly signals that this is a species name and that Solanum is a plant genus (so a learner could guess it refers to a plant in the nightshade family). However, the specific epithet 'wrightii' is an arbitrary proper-name derivation and does not convey the species-specific information (shrub/small tree, cultivation, not a true potato), so the full meaning cannot be derived from the parts.

Etymology

Solanum wrightii is a scientific plant name made of two parts: Solanum, the old name for 'nightshade' plants, and wrightii, which likely honors a plant collector named Wright. So the name is like saying 'Wright's nightshade' and helps you remember this shrub is a nightshade relative, not a potato.