Status:
valid
Authors:
Urb.
Source:
SolanaceaeSource.org
Year:
1922
Citation Micro:
Repert. Spec. Nov. Regni Veg. 18: 23. 1922
WFO Identifier:
wfo-0001023579
Common Names
- Cuban Melananthus
- Cuban Tomato Tree
- Cuban Melananthus Tomato Tree
Description
Melananthus cubensis (also called Cuban melananthus, among many other common names) is a shrub native to Cuba. It has a grey-green bark and its leaves are grey-green, oval-shaped and have a leathery texture. It grows in dry grasslands, deserts and rocky slopes.
Uses & Benefits
Melananthus cubensis is used as an ornamental plant in gardens and as a hedge plant. It is also used as a windbreak and has a high tolerance for drought. It has a high nutritional value and can be used as a food source for livestock.
Flower, Seeds and Seedlings
The flowers of Melananthus cubensis are small, white and bell-shaped, with five petals. The seeds are small, black and round, and the seedlings are thin and spindly.
Cultivation and Propagation
Melananthus cubensis can be propagated by seed or cuttings. Seeds should be sown in a well-drained soil mix and kept moist. Cuttings should be taken from healthy plants and rooted in a well-drained soil mix. The plants should be grown in full sun and kept moist.
Where to Find Melananthus cubensis
Melananthus cubensis is native to Cuba and can be found in dry, open areas such as rocky hillsides and desert scrub.
Species in the Melananthus genus
Species in the Solanaceae family