First report of Solanum lanceolatum in Italy
Solanum lanceolatum (Solanaceae) is a tree-like species growing up to 5 m tall. Native to Central America (Belize, Guatemala and Panama) and Mexico, S. lanceolatum was found to be established near Sutera and Porto Empedocle (Sicily) in 2014 making this the first naturalized record of the species in Italy and in Europe. In California (USA), S. lanceolatum was introduced as a garden plant and has since become widely naturalized and is now considered a noxious weed. In Sicily, two stands of the species have been observed. One population near Sutera consists of approximately 100 individuals established along road edges and clay slopes. The second population is located near Porto Empedocle in Southern Sicily and has been present since 1978 and covers an area of approximately 1 500 m2. This population was previously misidentified as Solanum torvum.
Sources
Cambria S, Banfi E, Verloove F, Domina G (2015) Solanum lanceolatum (Solanaceae) in Sicily: a new alien species for the European flora. Flora Mediterranean 25, 115-120.