Common name: Winter Cherry
Withania somnifera (L.) Dunal APNI* 
Description: Erect shrub to 1 m high, grey-pubescent with dendritic hairs.
Leaves ovate, usually 3–7 cm long and 2.5–4.5 cm wide; petiole c. 10 mm long.
Inflorescences congested clusters of 4–6 flowers; pedicels 3–5 mm long. Calyx 4–6 mm long; lobes shortly triangular with linear apices 2–3 mm long. Corolla 5–6 mm long, dull yellow-green; lobes triangular, 1.5–3 mm long, spreading. Anthers c. 1 mm long.
Berry globose, 5–10 mm diam., shining red, surrounded by urn-shaped inflated calyx with tube 15–20 mm long.
Flowering: April–September
Distribution and occurrence: Uncommon weed in shallow rocky soil, collected from Maitland district. Native of Medit. region & India.
NSW subdivisions: *NC, *CWS
Other Australian states: *S.A.
Text by B. J. Conn
Taxon concept: Flora of NSW 3 (1992)
APNI* Provides a link to the Australian Plant Name Index (hosted by the Australian National Botanic Gardens) for comprehensive bibliographic data
***The AVH map option provides a detailed interactive Australia wide distribution map drawn from collections held by all major Australian herbaria participating in the Australian Virtual Herbarium project.
|
