Journal ArticleSpecies of Solanum subgenus Leptostemonum comprise almost one third of the genus and are distributed worldwide. Members of this group are defined by their sharp epidermal prickles; thus, they are commonly referred to as the ˜spiny solanums." This subgenus includes a number of economically important species such as the Old World eggplants, as well as locally cultivated New World species such as the naranjilla and cocona
