Wolf apple

Flower
Fruit

The Wolf Apple is a plant from the Nightshade family that occurs in Brazilian Savanna. The plant itself is called lobeira or fruta-do-lobo in Portuguese. The fruit is called wolf apple because it accounts for more than half of the Maned Wolf's diet. Its scientific name, solanum lycocarpum, also refers to the wolf: lyco- (from Ancient Greek lykos - wolf, and carp - fruit. The plant grows as a bush or a tree up to 5 metres (16 ft) high. The ripe fruit is edible, while the rest of the plant is poisonous. Locals use the fruits to make jams. The fruit contains a lot of starch. Sometimes, it is also used to feed livestock.

References

  1. ↑ J. C. Motta-Junior, S. A.Talamoni, J. A. Lombardi, and K. Simokomaki (1996): "Diet of the maned wolf, Chrysocyon brachyurus, in central Brazil". Journal of Zoology, volume 240, issue 2, pages 277–284. doi:10.1111/j.1469-7998.1996.tb05284.x