Chalice-Vine

Solandra  maxima (Sessé & Moc.) P. S. Green

S. grandiflora Sw.

S. guttata (Standl.) Don

so-LAND-rah MAX-ah-mah, grand-ah-FLORE-ah, gut-TAY-tah

Solanaceae

Explanation of name: Genus named for Swedish botanist Daniel Solander, 1736-1786 (BA1).  Maxima and grandiflora are self-explanatory. Guttata is Greek for raindrop.

Natural range: American Tropics (not Florida) (CHR for S. maxima)

Recognition:  Woody vine making thick water-shoots, these bearing enormous trumpet-shaped yellowish flowers.  Forms roots along the stems. There are multiple species of Solandra in cultivation with confusion regarding application of names.

1. Narrow portion of corolla tube shorter than calyx...S. grandiflora

1. Narrow portion of corolla tube longer than calyx…2

2. Narrow portion of corolla tube only slightly longer than calyx; flowers deep golden yellow…S. maxima

2. Narrow portion of corolla tube twice as long as calyx; flowers near-white or pale yellow…S. guttata

Landscape uses: A very large, very fast-growing woody vine with massive trumpet-shaped creamy-golden flowers.  Plant is hallucinogenic.  Bounces back readily from severe abuse.