Blue Potato Bush, Royal Robe Paraguay Nightshade, Blue Lycianthes 'Royal Robe' '

Blue Potato Bush, Royal Robe Paraguay Nightshade, Blue Lycianthes 'Royal Robe' 'Royal Robe'
Lycianthes rantonnetii

What wonderful colors. Love the contrast of the flower and the leaves. Is it a prolific bloomer?

Yes, it blooms from ealy summer to late fall here in San Antonio. In fact it is blooming now in December, but of course not as prolifically during the cooler weather. We have not had a really hard freeze (below 28) or a sustained freeze yet. I do not have one growing in my yard, but I am purchasing one in the spring after seeing this one. I also like the yellow center of the bloom which sets off the purple. I have posted a photo of another bloom shown closer up, but it has not been posted yet. I wanted to be sure that the size of the bloom is aptly depicted. It is a small bloom about an inch in diameter, but there are many of them. Thanks for your comments.

Hi Hazel, how is your Christmas prep going? I noticed there are a lot of pics and comments entered at Dave's under Lycianthes rantonnettii(has an extra t) and I would guess they all belong together...I don't have either spelling in my limited collection of books, so I can't help with determining which one would be correct. Did you see all the wonderful pics there? I have already been lusting after one of these potato bushes but of course I already have too many tropicals to winter over. I am dreadfully behind on my Christmas activities this year, so if you don't hear from me, that's why!
Susan

Thanks, Susan. I will try to determine the correct spelling. I am now having the family Christmas party at my house so I have to do the extra cleaning and prepare most of the food, etc. so I am going to be busy too.

Susan, I did not find any under the spelling with the extra "t". I did find the ones that were not listed as a particular cultivar ... just "Lycianthes rantonnetii". This one is entered separately due to its cultivar being identified. Some of the photos on the other listing are 'Royal Robe' and some are not. 'Royal Robe' is more compact, has a longer bloom season and darker purple flowers than the species. Many of the other plants have separate listings for the separate cultivars. Still others have photos posted under a general listing, but with the cultivar stated on the photo comment. I'll check with the database to determine if the "Royal Robe' entry should be separate or not.

I'm sorry, Hazel, of course it needs to be listed separately! Haven't I done this before??? I need to slow down a little when viewing stuff I guess. (I know better, I have a B.S. in Horticulture.) Sounds like 'Royal Robe' is the better choice, too. I am having Christmas company from Dec 23 til Dec 29 and my DH is on vacation Dec 18 to Jan 5 so I am just rushing through these newsletters (can't bear to trash them). Happy Holidays! Susan

No problem, Susan.

A friend of mine has one of these shrubs in the backyard - now full of those beautiful flowers.
I only want to know if it is poisonous.
Thanks.

The fruit, seeds and plant parts are poisonous if ingested. Dog owners should be alert to the following symptoms: hypersalivation, poor appetite, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, drowsiness, CNS depression, confusion, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils and slow heart rate. These symptoms will result from ingestion of potato, tomato or any other members of the nightshade family.