Jaltomata calliantha (Solanaceae) white fruitendemic of Salpo, La Libertad región, Peru

Abstract

Jaltomata calliantha S. Leiva & Mione (Solanaceae) is described and illustrated. This species has white
fruits and is endemic to Salpo, La Libertad region, Peru. It lives above Platanar (Platanar-Pagash and
Platanar-Salpo routes, and, above the Casmiche bridge), Salpo district, prov. Otuzco, La Libertad
region, Peru, among the 1425-1870 m elevation, between 8º 00’ 86”- 8º 00’ 790” S and 78º 41’ 47”- 78º
41’ 46” W. It is characterized mainly by erect and rigid style, punctate or nailed stigma, white berries
at the maturity, flowers solitary, welded area of stamens with a basal bulge surrounded by a dense
covering of simple transparent hairs, disc-shaped petalostem with 5 lobes concave where abundant
red nectar is stored in the basal area of the coroline tube. It presents morphological differences that
distinguish it from the rest of the species and is the only one in northern Peru that has edible white
fruits, and that could be grown on a large scale, as a vitamin potential because it is pleasant.