title: A new species of Solanum (Solanaceae) from South Africa related to the cultivated eggplant.
abstract: A new andromonoecious species related to the eggplant and belonging to Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum from southern Africa is described. Solanum umtuma Voronts. & S.Knapp, sp. nov. is found in the eastern part of South Africa, and is sympatric with its close relative Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.M-L.Jaeger. It is morphologically very similar to Solanum cerasiferum Dunal of northern tropical Africa. A comparison table with similar and closely related species is provided, as are a distribution map and illustration of Solanum umtuma.
authors.affiliation: Herbarium, Library and Archives, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Richmond, Surrey TW9 1AD, United Kingdom.
authors.forename: M S
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Vorontsova
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Knapp