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May 4, 2019

Wild potato species (Solanum sect. Petota) - part II

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. 
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. 
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).
This is very ornamental species
Young fruit
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.
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).
This form is less ornamental than my older one
Fendler's Wild Potato - Solanum fendleri (taxonomic Longipedicellata series) - the fruits!
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). 
Young fruit
Colorado Wild Potato - Solanum jamesii (Pinnatisecta series) – it fruited first time too!!!
Overripe fruits

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:
This is excelent ornamental plant
The flowers were pollinated by large beetles
Fruits
The tubers can be quite large
Winged stem form:
This form creates smaller fruits but with larger calyxes
The tubers were also something smaller than usual form