Solanum viarum

Tropical soda apple is an invasive perennial shrub native to Brazil and Argentina in the Solanaceae or nightshade family. It is found in cultivated pastures, croplands, hammocks and other disturbed areas and has been reported in fields used to hold cattle in NC. It was first found in FL in 1988 and was probably introduced through contaminated seeds or plants or from cattle from Argentina. It rapidly spread through the southeast and mid-south regions of the country. It is not very cold hardy but will resprout if it dies to the ground in winter.

The plant will grow to 6 feet tall and wide, forming impenetrable thick stands. The large green leaves are hairy and resemble oak leaves and the hairy branches are loaded with 3/4-inch straight prickles. The shrub has 5-petaled white flowers nearly all year but fruit production is heaviest Sept. to May. The fruits are up to 1&1/2 inch across and are mottled green and white when young, maturing to bright yellow containing many seeds. Each plant can produce up to 200 fruits per year.

The shrub threatens agriculture and forest ecosystems and can dominate the understory of forests crowding out native plant species. Cattle will eat the fruits helping to spread the plant. Any siting of the plant in NC should be reported to the N.C. Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services Weed Specialist at 1-800-206-9333.
 

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: It is a Federal Noxious Weed and listed as invasive by the NC Invasive Plant Council. See native alternatives to the left.