false capsicum
Solanum pseudocapsicum L.
Solanum pseudocapsicum L., a species in the Solanaceae family, is known by common names such as false capsicum, Jerusalem cherry, and Madeira winter cherry. It is a perennial plant with mildly poisonous fruit. The species is cultivated as a decorative houseplant in some regions, while in others, such as South Africa, India, Australia, and New Zealand, it is considered a weed. It is native to and distributed in regions including Açores, Madeira, Portugal, Brazil, and various islands in the Juan Fernandez archipelago.
Description
Solanum pseudocapsicum, described by Linnaeus in 1753, belongs to the genus Solanum within the nightshade family, Solanaceae. The plant is found in regions such as Açores, Madeira, Portugal, Brazil, and several islands in the Juan Fernandez group. It is commonly known as false capsicum and is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. However, in certain areas, including parts of South Africa and Australia, it has become naturalized and is regarded as an invasive species. The plant produces mildly toxic fruit and is also referred to as Jerusalem cherry or Madeira winter cherry. Its distribution includes high-altitude sites such as Las Delicias in Colombia and the Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz.
Other common names
Jerusalem cherryJerusalem-cherryMadeira winter-cherryMadeira-cherryfalse Jerusalem-cherryfalse capsicumwinter-cherrieswinter-cherryMadeira Winter Cherry
Distribution
Açores · Madeira · Portugal Continental · BR · Faial Island · Flores Island · Graciosa Island · Pico Island · Santa Maria Island · São Jorge Island · São Miguel Island · Terceira Island · Madeira Island · Cuenca quebrada Guanábano y río Mendarco: Las Delicias (2000 msnm) · Parque Nacional Natural Sumapaz · TR · TW · ZA · CL · Juan Fernandez Islands · NP · Belgium · Brussels-Capital Region · Flemish Region · France · The Netherlands · Great Britain · IT · PT · DK
Synonyms
Brachistus grisebachiiPseudocapsicum undulatifoliumSolanum capsicastrumSolanum capsicastrum var. caaguazuenseSolanum capsicastrum var. capsicastrumSolanum compactumSolanum diffusumSolanum diffusum subsp. diffusumSolanum diffusum var. diffusumSolanum diflorumSolanum diflorum var. angustifoliumSolanum diflorum var. diflorumSolanum diflorum var. hygrophilumSolanum diflorum var. pulverulentumSolanum diphyllumSolanum diphyllum var. diphyllumSolanum diphyllum var. pulverulentumSolanum dunnianumSolanum eremanthumSolanum hendersoniiSolanum hermannioidesSolanum hyemaleSolanum hygrophilumSolanum ipecacuanhaSolanum ipecacuanha var. calvescensSolanum ipecacuanha var. ipecacuanhaSolanum ipecacuanha var. obovataSolanum jaliscanumSolanum karsteniiSolanum linkianum
