tropical soda apple

Solanum viarum Dunal

Description from Invasive.org

Appearance
Solanum viarum is a perennial, shrubby forb that is on the Federal Noxious Weed list. Plants grow to 6 ft. (1.8 m) in height and width.
Foliage
Leaves are broad, 6-8 in. (15.2-20.3 cm) long, 2-6 in. (5.1-15.2 cm) wide, hairy and resemble fig or oak leaves. The entire plant is loaded with 0.75 in. (1.9 cm), straight prickles.
Flowers
Flowering occurs year-round, with most reproduction occurring from September to May. White, 5-petaled flowers grow, in clusters, under the leaves.
Fruit
Fruit are 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter and resemble a watermelon.
Ecological Threat
Solanum viarum invades pastures, fields, and parks, but also has the potential to invade open forest and other natural areas. This plant forms thick stands that can be impenetrable to livestock, large wildlife, and humans.

Resources

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org


Seedling(s)
John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org
Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Foliage
James Rollins, , Bugwood.org
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Feature(s) Flower, Fruit, Stem, and Foliage
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s) flowers
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Flower(s)
Rebekah D. Wallace, University of Georgia, Bugwood.org
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Foliage
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Feature(s)
J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) Thorny nightshade from Argentina, first appeared in the United States in pastures and rangelands in Glades County, Florida, in 1988. Mottled green fruits that look like small watermelons are a distinguising feature of the plant.
J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s)
J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s)
USDA APHIS PPQ - Oxford, North Carolina , USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
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Fruit(s) fruit in November
John W. Everest, Auburn University, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) In a pasture with cattle
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) Growing out of a bag of cow manure, in 1991 ......
Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) root segment
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Infestation
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s)
J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
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Infestation Grows well in sun and shade and is invading tree hammocks where it prevents cattle from seeking refuge from the sun in southern pastures.
J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org
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Seedling(s)
Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
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Plant(s) Frank Krainin, PPQ, studies plant after frost. In the spring, plant was confirmed as a herbaceous perennial, in Appling county. An early observation that TSA roots could survive the winter in Georgia.
Arthur E. Miller, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
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Seed(s) Seeds. FNW taxon.
Julia Scher, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org
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Distribution