Lycianthes (Solanaceae) FMWJ13059

biflorum

Classified as a shrub, but more likely to act as subshrub in our climate, 0.5-1.5m tall. With upright stems covered in yellowish pubescence, bearing mature elliptic-ovate long-tipped leaves to 15 × 7cm, on 4cm long petioles, younger leaves more rounded. Several-flowered clusters are born in the leaf axils May to August, the flowers are pale lilac with flared-recurving narrow petals. Followed by conspicuous bright red fruit with clasping pubescent calyx. A woodland plant which is fairly common in some moister parts of the mountain forests in northern Vietnam where we made this collection in 2011. Best grown in part shade in a fertile drained soil with adequate moisture retention.