Flowers and fruit of Solanum singulare.

Land for Wildlife members and cousins, Deb and Errol Stenzel, have had their eye on an unfamiliar-looking nightshade (Solanum species) growing on their adjacent properties at Coochin for years. Deb said that they have tried to key the plant out in the past but could never identify it to a species level. They have sent pictures to botanists in the past but did not receive a species identification.

Last year, the Stenzels gave Queensland Herbarium taxonomist, Tony Bean, an opportunity to botanise on their property accompanied by Land for Wildlife Officer Martin Bennett, myself and citizen scientists. This visit came as a result of the 2022 Scenic Rim Bioblitz held on Deb’s property.

Tony Bean is a Senior Botanist and Curator at the Queensland Herbarium with a specific interest in nightshades (Solanaceae). Errol said that he had been wanting to show Tony this plant for quite some time and took Tony to a shaded cattle rest on a hillside where a healthy population of the nightshade was growing. Nightshades thrive in disturbed areas, and it seems that the cattle have provided this species a niche to flourish in.

Tony took a collection of the plant from the hillside location and after careful examination confirmed that it was indeed a new species.

But there is more to this story. Tony noted that this species had been previously collected by Martin Bennett at Ivory Rock lookout in 2003 and also by Harry Hines, Senior Conservation Officer from Queensland Parks and Wildlife, from another Scenic Rim Land for Wildlife/Nature Refuge property in 2014. Both collections were sitting unnamed or misidentified at the Queensland Herbarium until this year. To assist Tony in his taxonomy work, Harry swiftly recollected a specimen from his location for Tony to use.

Fast forward nine months to September 2024 when Tony delivered a paper describing this nightshade as a new species, Solanum singulare.

The discovery of a new species is always exciting but finding a new native plant species in Southeast Queensland is particularly unique because so much ground has been explored in the past by many knowledgeable botanists.

Discovering a new plant species is a cherry on top for Deb and Errol who are both long-time Land for Wildlife members. Deb and Errol have contributed much to local biodiversity through many years of excellent land management as well as sharing knowledge and education with the community by hosting visits from flora and fauna experts.

Article and photos by Greg Tasney
Land for Wildlife Officer
Scenic Rim Regional Council

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