Artificial hybrids in Solanum sect. Lasiocarpa

The following new artificial interspecific hybrids are reported in Solanum sect. Lasiocarpa: S. hirtum x stramonifolium, S. hyporhodium x quitoense, S. lasiocarpum x sessiliflorum, S. pseudolulo x hirtum, S. pseudolulo x stramonifolium, and S. repandum x lasiocarpum. As a result of hybridizations, three groups of species may be recognized in the section: (1) S. pectinatum, (2) S. sessiliflorum, and (3) the remainder of the species. It seems likely that interspecific hybridization will be most useful in the improvement of the naranjilla, S. quitoense.