Wild tobacco tree, tobacco bush
Solanum mauritianum, Fam. Solanaceae
Large spreading perennial shrub or small tree to 4m. The entire plant is covered with felty 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, Small tree |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Leaf: | Simple Alternate Alternate, simple, stalk 10-55mm long, blade elliptic to 300 x 150mm, tapered at both ends, sage green above pale beneath, covered with felt like hairs; leaf-like stipules to 25mm long. Distinctive strong smell when crushed. |
| Flower conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Flower colour: |
Blue, Mauve, Purple |
| Flower description: | Purplish-blue to mauve, star-shaped, 15-25mm in diameter; borne in clustered many-flowered terminal bunches, 150mm across. |
| Fruit conspicuous: | Conspicuous |
| Fruit colour: |
Green, Yellow |
| Fruit: | Fleshy |
| Fruit description: | Small round fleshy berries, 10-15mm in diameter, green to dull yellow when ripe with numerous cream or brown seeds, 2mm wide. |
| Habitat: | |
| Distribution | |
| Food source for: | |
| Toxicity: | Toxic if ingested |
| Origin: | South America |
| Notes: | Spread by: birds and bats disperse seeds great distances where they germinate readily. Invades/threats: disturbed areas, rainforest margins, open forests and pastures; out competes native species; can tolerate some shade. Notes: several large populations have been recorded in the Eungella area. It is thought to be poisonous to livestock. All parts of the plant are poisonous to humans, especially the green berries; hairs can be irritating. Wild tobacco is not a declared plant under Queensland legislation, however, its control is recommended. Environmental weed. |
| Information sources: | Mackay Regional Pest Management Group (2018) Weeds of the Mackay Whitsunday Region Second Edition. |
