About Solanum crinitum Lam.
Solanum crinitum Lam. (synonym: Solanum macranthum), commonly called the giant star potato tree, is a small tropical tree in the Solanaceae family. It grows up to 12 m (39 ft) tall, and is native to the northeastern half of South America. Unlike most flowers, this species' blooms keep increasing in size even after they open, eventually doubling to reach 5 cm (2.0 in) wide. As they grow, the flowers change color: they open purple and gradually turn white. As a tree-sized plant, it is very short-lived; it reaches full growth at four years old, and often dies by its fifth year. When successfully pollinated, flowers produce round, orange fruit around 5 cm (2.0 in) in diameter. Its leaves have 5 to 7 lobes, and measure roughly 40 cm (16 in) long, with a width about half that length.
