Solanum americanum plant4 (16189156042)

Description:

Description: Native, yearlong-green, annual or short-lived perennial herb or shrub to 1.3 m tall. Leaves are 3-8 cm long and lanceolate to ovate, with entire or shallowly lobed margins. Flowers are white with yellow-green centres and occur in clusters of 4-12. Berries are initially green, becoming shiny black at maturity. Seeds are greater than 40 per fruit. Flowering is throughout the year. Found in a range of moist and disturbed habitats, including stockyards, stream banks, roadsides and wastelands. Native biodiversity. A minor nuisance weed in disturbed areas around the farm. Berries contain toxic glycol-alkaloids when green, but are safe to eat when black. Instances of poisoning are rare; more of a concern for children. Healthy vigorous pastures exclude nightshade. A number of other control methods are available: physical removal is effective for small infestations; mulching can prevent seed germination; cultivation can disturb root systems. Registered herbicides are available for larger infestations but management must comply with the Native Vegetation Act. Date: 20 May 2008, 15:10. Source: Solanum americanum plant4. Author: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.