In
season 2018 I grew a few new species of wild potatoes (Solanum
sect. Petota) and
I harvested also first time the true fruits of some species, which I
am growing from years.
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| Wild patatoes - true fruits |
About
edibility of the tubers I can say that they are edible at all if they have
not bitter taste. If bitter/untasty they should be not eaten (or you
could try slice them and soak by night in running water – but I
have not practiced this processing method with them yet). One species creates edible fruits.
New
species:
Papa
del Monte - Solanum demissum - "fruit
potato" – it belongs to taxonomic Demissa series. The
herb with long stolons and small tubers (usually edible after
cooking). The fruits are said to be also edible cooked and they are
eaten as a sweet (fully ripe fruit have the aroma similar to mangoes,
papayas or wild strawberries)!!! Native to Central America -
Guatemala to northern Mexico at altitude 1,900 - 3,700 metres
(6333-12333ft). Late Blight and Potato Virus Y resistant.
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| The fruits of Solanum demissum are said to be edible and delicious |
Papa
de Zorro - Solanum brevicaule - belongs to
taxonomic Tuberosa series.Native to South America (Argentina,
Bolivia, and Peru). Tubers edibility unknown. Resistant to some
viruses and other pests. Tubers rather large (as for wild species).
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| This is very ornamental species |
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| Young fruit |
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| This species creates quite large tubers |
Bolivian
Wild Potato, Lluttu papa - Solanum berthaultii -
other common potato close cousin (series Tuberosa). It has
genes of resistance for such pests as Colorado Potato Beetle, Early
Blight (at least partially) and others. Probably edible after
cooking. Can be hybridized with common potato and some wild potato
species.
Heartleaf
Wild Potato, Cimatli - Solanum cardiophyllum -
belongs to taxonomic Pinnatisecta series. Herb with long
stolons and small edible tubers (cooked). Plant native to Mexico.
Early Blight, Late Blight and Aphids resistant.
Argentinean
Wild Potato - Solanum x aemulans (Acaulia
series) - possibly naturally hybrid of S. acaule x S. boliviense.
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| This species is closely relative to Solanum acaule |
The species
which I grew (and desribed already) before (new forms or new photos –
often in fruits):
Wild
Andean Potato, Devil Potato - Solanum acaule
(Acaulia series) - I grew new (smaller flower and less
ornamental form).
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| This form is less ornamental than my older one |
Fendler's
Wild Potato - Solanum fendleri (taxonomic
Longipedicellata series) - the fruits!
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| The fruits |
Mexican
Wild Potato - Solanum stoloniferum (also
Longipedicellata series) - closest cousin of previous species
- it also fruited first time (after a few years growing)!!! It is
very frost hardy (can survive winters outside without mulching in
zone 6/7, if grow in well drained soil).
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| Young fruit |
Colorado
Wild Potato - Solanum jamesii (Pinnatisecta
series) – it fruited first time too!!!
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| Overripe fruits |
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| I grew 2 forms (something different) |
Chaco
Wild Potato - Solanum chacoense (taxonomic
Commersoniana series) – I grew 2 various forms (old usual
one and new one– a distinct form with winged stems and larger
calyxes native N.
W. Argentina and southern Bolivia) – both fruited!!!
Usual form:
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| This is excelent ornamental plant |
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| The flowers were pollinated by large beetles |
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| Fruits |
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| The tubers can be quite large |
Winged stem form:
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| This form creates smaller fruits but with larger calyxes |
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| The tubers were also something smaller than usual form |
