PlantaeDB Logo
Login Sign-up

Genus Jaltomata in Tribe Solaneae

In botanical taxonomy, a genus (plural genera) is a rank used to group closely related species within a family. In the hierarchy, genus sits below family and above species.

Genera are defined by shared morphological, anatomical, and genetic characteristics (for example, features of flowers, fruits, seeds, or leaves) that indicate a close evolutionary relationship among the species they contain.

Each genus can include one or more species. Examples include Rosa (roses) and Solanum (nightshades, including tomato and eggplant).

Do you wish to read more about plant taxonomy? Click here!

Genus Description

Suggest a correction!

Jaltomata (Schltdl.) is a genus of Solanaceae (nightshades) with roughly 65 species distributed from the southwestern United States through Mexico and Central America to the Andes of Peru and Bolivia, extending to southeastern Brazil and the Caribbean. Species occur from lowland tropical forests and scrub to montane grasslands and seasonally dry woodlands, commonly between sea level and 3,500 meters. The type species commonly referenced is Jaltomata procumbens (Ruiz & Pav.) Bitter. The genus is recognized as part of Solanoideae, tribe Physaleae, and subtribe Physalinae in recent syntheses (APG IV, 2016; Särkinen et al., 2013; Olmstead et al., 2008).

Morphologically, Jaltomata is predominantly shrubs or perennial herbs (occasionally annual), often with a stellate indumentum, and pairs of reduced stipules or pseudostipular leaf–stem appendages. Leaves vary from alternate to paired, are simple to shallowly lobed, and usually bear a prominent intramarginal vein. Inflorescences are generally terminal or axillary cymes, sometimes reduced to solitary flowers. Flowers are generally five-lobed rotate to broadly campanulate corollas, typically purple, greenish or white; the calyx is often enlarged at fruit and may be inflated. Stamens arise from a low-insertion point on the corolla tube and are often basally connate; anthers dehisce longitudinally. The ovary is usually bicarpellate with axile placentation and often shows a pronounced nectariferous disc. Fruit is a fleshy berry, colored black, purple or red at maturity and surrounded by an enlarged persistent calyx. Seeds are small, with a ruminated endosperm, characteristic of many Physaleae. Pollinators are not comprehensively documented for the genus, but several species are visited by bees and hawkmoths; fruit appears to be dispersed by birds and other animals, consistent with berry morphology.

Species richness peaks in the Andes and Central Mexico, with multiple narrow endemics in Peru, Bolivia and the Mexican highlands. Some lineages show pronounced edaphic specialization, and numerous species inhabit Andean cloud forests and dry inter-Andean valleys (Barboza et al., 2016). Morphological diversity, particularly in flower form and indumentum, underpins species delimitation (Mione et al., 1994).

Chromosome counts have been reported for several species (e.g., x = 12 in several lineages;fide SOSA, 2001; Barboza et al., 2016), but base numbers remain variable and require broader sampling across the genus. Nonetheless, the predominance of x = 12 in Solanaceae and the documented counts suggest a probable base of 12 for Jaltomata.

Taxonically, the genus is stable within modern treatments (WFO, 2024; POWO, 2024; Barboza et al., 2016). No major recircumscriptions or synonymizations have been widely adopted since the monographic focus on South American taxa (Hunziker, 2001; Mione et al., 1994), and alternative phylogenetic placements that would remove Jaltomata from Physaleae have not been supported by recent broad-scale analyses (Särkinen et al., 2013). Relationships among Andean and Central American clades remain incompletely resolved in current phylogenies, highlighting a need for expanded sampling and genomic data.

Human relevance is limited; several species are cultivated locally for their attractive flowers and show potential for horticultural use, while a few are casual weeds in agricultural or ruderal settings. No Jaltomata species are of major economic importance.

Conservation and outlook: While most species remain unassessed, habitat loss and climate change threaten several Andean endemics. Improved phylogenetics and species-level conservation assessments are needed to guide future management (Barboza et al., 2016; WFO, 2024).

Pick a Species to see its components: