Re: Mystery Potato

   How about Lycianthes (Solanum) rantonnettii? Which even my mother,
who has spent her entire long life in central Kansas, instantly labeled a
"potato vine?"  This also seems to be the name it's commonly sold under,
at least in the less mediterranean parts of the US.

   Finally gave it up here in northeast KS (where needless to say it's not 
hardy), for the very good reason that the admittedly beautiful flowers are
nowhere near numerous enough to justify the vigor of the plant. A scandent
shrub, btw; I've seen it to 6' (180cm) in one season from a gallon plant,
but apparently it can make twice that or more even in a large container.
 
   The everblooming habit no doubt impresses us more than it would more
favorably located gardeners, but with due allowances, likely the sort of
plant which would be recommended for "the wild garden."

   bk---

     curses quietly....

     also didn't look up a description, despite the fact that toothed
leaves would label this as a fairly unusual solanum. "Potato vine" is a
really common name; any chance it was also described as 'Royal Robe'?

> I need some help identifying a mystery potato. I purchased a plant last year 
> that was just labeled "Potato Vine," although it clearly wasn't a vine.  It 
> is an upright, herbaceous perennial in the Solanaceae.  It might even be in 
> the genus Solanum.  The maroon-colored, upright stems are .5m to nearly one 
> meter in length. The branches and leaves are opposite.  The leaves are dark 
> green, lanceolate, entire to irregularly toothed, and 5 to 15cm in length.  
> The rich purple-blue flowers are large, around 4cm across............
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