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Products > Solanum laxum   Solanum laxum - Potato Vine    [2nd Image] Habit and Cultural Information Category: Vine Family: Solanaceae (Potatoes, tomatoes, peppers) Origin: Brazil (South America) Evergreen: Yes Flower Color: White Bloomtime: Year-round Synonyms: [S. jasminoides] Height: Climbing (Vine) Width: Spreading Exposure: Sun or Shade Seaside: Yes Deer Tolerant: Yes Irrigation (H2O Info): Medium Water Needs Winter Hardiness: 15-20° F May be Poisonous  (More Info): Yes Solanum laxum (Potato Vine) - An evergreen vine (in mild climates) that quickly grows to 30 feet with dark green to almost blackish ovate-lanceolate leaves. In mild climates, the star-shaped white flowers, produced abundantly on a branching inflorescence, can bloom year-round; the peak bloom period being in spring. Plant in sun or part shade and water regularly. Cold Hardy to 10 °F. Reportedly tolerant of near seashore conditions. This plant has long been called Solanum jasminoides, so named because its flowery boughs so resemble a Jasmine. This plant was first described under this name in 1841 by Sir Joseph Paxton (1803-1865) in his Magazine of Botany: Register of Flowering Plants. Paxton, who was the gardener to the Duke of Devonshire and the architect of the Crystal Palace for the London Exhibition of 1851, published his Magazine of Botany from 1834-1849. In it he describes Solanum jasminoides from material in cultivation that originated from the Glasgow Botanic Garden, but was presumed to be from South America. Apparently it was determined that this plant was the same as that as Solanum laxum from Brazil that was described by the German botanist Curt Polycarp Joachim Sprengel (1766-1833) in his edited (for Linnaeus) work Systema vegetabilium Volume V in 1824. The specific epithet is from the Latin word 'laxus' meaning "loose", "slack" or "relaxed", likely in reference to the open inflorescence.  This description of this plant is based on our research and our observations of it growing at the nursery, in our own garden and in other gardens. We always appreciate receiving feedback of any kind from those who have any additional information about this plant, particularly if they disagree with what we have written or have additional cultural tips that would aid others growing Solanum laxum [S. jasminoides] .     [MORE INFO]