It is native to South America, where it can be found in Brazil, Bolivia, Argentina, Peru, Uruguay, and Paraguay.

[3] It can also be found in Australia, China, the United States, England, New Zealand, and elsewhere as an introduced species.

[3] This plant has been extensively researched in the quest to find ways to improve its relative, the cultivated potato (Solanum tuberosum).

[3] It was likely introduced to regions outside its usual range when it was imported for study and breeding with the potato.

[4] It has also shown resistance to verticillium wilt[5] and potato leafroll virus.