Devil’s fig, thornapple
Solanum torvum, Fam. Solanaceae
Spreading or scrambling shrub, 2-3m high, armed with scattered broad-based slightly hooked thorns, 3-8mm long; new growth with fawn star hairs.
| Weed Category: |
Other invasive plants Invasive plants that are not prohibited or restricted invasive plants, but are known to spread readily and cause negative impacts, within the region.
|
| Weed: | Yes |
| Form or habit: | Shrub |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Simple, alternate or paired, broad-elliptic to ovate, 55-220 x 45-180mm, margins with 2-4 triangular lobes on each side; dark green and rough textured above, paler beneath with thickly felted star hairs; scattered thorns on both surfaces. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
White, Yellow |
| Flower description: | White star-shaped with central cone of yellow stamens, 20-25mm diameter; borne on many-flowered axillary racemes or sprays. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Brown, Yellow |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Globular, fleshy berries, 12-17mm in diameter, dull yellow or brownish when ripe with many egg-shaped cream or brown seeds about 2mm long. Calyx without prickles. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | No toxicity known |
| Origin: | West Indies |
| Notes: | Spread by: birds eat fruit, spreading seed. Invades/threats: rainforests, coastal communities, creek banks and disturbed areas, gardens. Notes: widespread throughout the region. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
