Apple of Sodom
Common name
Apple of Sodom
Scientific Name
Solanum linnaeanum
Type of plant
Uncategorised
About this weed
This Solanum is both a Declared Pest and a Pest Plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 and has therefore documented control strategies in place. Land holders are obliged to control such plants. It has a stiff prickly form and grows to about two meters in height. The star shaped flowers are purple and the fruit is yellow. The plant originated from South Africa.
Description
Apple of Sodam is a stiff, prickly shrub growing to about 2 m in height and width. It produces purple star-shaped flowers with yellow stamens in the middle. The berry is yellow when mature and poisonous to humans and stock.
Impact on Bushland
A Declared Plant and Pest Plant in West Australia.
Location
Usually found in areas closer to the coast rather than inland in the South-West Province. It is a weed of pastures & roadsides.
Priority for removal
High: may cause acute disruption of ecological processes, dominates and/or significantly alters vegetation structure, composition and function of ecosystems.
Management (hand)
Declared Pest and a Pest Plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 and has therefore documented control strategies in place.
Management (herbicide)
Declared Pest and a Pest Plant under the Agriculture and Related Resources Protection Act 1976 and has therefore documented control strategies in place.
Flowering month/s
January, March, May, August, October
Flower colour/s
Blue, Purple
Information source
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/browse/profile/7020
Additional information
https://florabase.dpaw.wa.gov.au/weeds/swanweeds/
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/declared-plants
https://www.agric.wa.gov.au/pests-weeds-diseases/weeds/pest-plants
Hussey, Keighery, Cousens, Dodd and Lloyd (1997) Western Weeds: A guide to the weeds of Western Australia.
