Solanum wendlandii

Very vigorous, evergreen, woody, somewhat thorny vine, with robust stems up to several metres long and covered with a thick, greenish, smooth bark, but marked by bulges left by fallen leaves.
Its leaves vary greatly in shape, from deeply divided on the lower ones, trifoliate or tri-lobed on the intermediate ones and simple on the terminal ones; alternate, petiolate, somewhat fleshy, pointed at the apex, entire at the edges, dark green on the upper side, pale green on the underside and covered with a fine reticular venation.

Its splendid lavender-blue to deep lilac flowers are grouped in large, branched, terminal inflorescences, supported by slender, but very sturdy, green stems with reddish tints.
Each flower consists of a small greenish calyx and a large bell-shaped corolla up to more than 5 cm in diameter, in the centre of which the anthers of its five stamens stand firm and erect, some being longer than others.

The fruits are large globose berries up to 10 cm in diameter, which contain a good quantity of seeds inside.
This species is native to Costa Rica, having been introduced in many parts of the world for ornamental purposes.
It is not yet widely used in the Canary Islands, although it adapts well to almost any type of soil and environment, as long as it is well lit and sunny, and when in flower it dazzles with its lushness and beauty.