Solanum viarum Dunal
Tropical Soda Apple| Threat Level | Category |
|---|---|
| Emerging | Shrub |
|
Similar Species May be confused with the following native and/or non-native species. Landscape Alternatives lists native horticultural substitutes |
Solanum carolinense |
|---|
Description
Height
Topical soda apple is an upright, thorny, perennial subshrub or shrub, 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m) in height. Remains green over winter in most southern locations.Stem
Stems are upright-to-leaning, much branched, and hairy. They are covered with broad-based, large white to yellow thorns.Leaves
Leaves are alternate, 4 to 8 inches (10 to 20 cm) long and 2 to 6 inches (5 to 15 cm) wide, with deeply lobed margins imparting an oak-leaf shape. They are velvety hairy and have thorns projecting from the veins and petioles. Leaves are dark green with prominent whitish midveins above and lighter green with netted veins beneath.Flowers
From May to August (year-round in Florida), tropical soda apple produces terminal small clusters of five-petaled white flowers. Petals first extend out to the side, then become recurved. Yellow to white stamen project from the center.Fruit and Seeds
June to November (year-round in Florida), the fruit is near golf-ball-sized, spherical, hairless, pulpy berry 1 to 1.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm). At first a mottled green, it ripens to yellow. Each berry produces 200 to 400 reddish-brown seeds. Fruit is sweet smelling and attractive to livestock and wildlife.Images
Photo: J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.orgMore images of Solanum viarum
Life History
Tropical soda apple is anuUpright, thorny perennial subshrub or shrub, 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m) in height, with leaves shaped like oak leaves, clusters of tiny white flowers, and green-to-yellow golf-ball size fruit. Fruit is sweet smelling and attractive to livestock and wildlife. The plant remains green over winter in most southern locations. It is a member of the Solanaceae or Nightshade family.Ecology and Habitat
Tropical soda apple occurs on open to semi-shady sites. Viable seed are found in green or yellow fruit but not in white fruit. The plant reaches maturity from seed within 105 days, and persists by green stems or rootcrowns in warmer areas. It is rapidly spreading through cattle and other livestock transportation and by wildlife-dispersed seeds as well as seed-contaminated hay, sod, and machinery.Origin and Distribution
Tropical soda apple is native to Argentina and Brazil and was introduced into Florida in the 1980s. There is no known use. It is a Federally listed invasive species with an eradication program underway.Other states where invasive: GA, FL. Federal or state listed as noxious weed, prohibited, invasive or banned: US, AL, AZ, CA, FL, MA, MN, MS, NC, OR, SC, TN, TX, VT.
Source: Information on this plant page is derived primarily from James H. Miller's Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests, USDA Forest Service.
Management Recommendations
Herbicial Controls
Foliar Spray Method
Thoroughly wet leaves and stems with one of the following herbicides inwater with a surfactant at times of flowering before fruit appear: Garlon 4
(or Remedy in pastures) or Arsenal AC as a 2-percent solution (8 ounces
per 3-gallon mix); a glyphosate herbicide as a 3-percent solution in water
(12 ounces per 3-gallon mix).
Collect and destroy fruit to prevent reestablishment.
If mowing is used to stop fruit production, delay herbicide applications
until 50 to 60 days to ensure adequate regrowth.
Nontarget plants may be killed or injured by root uptake.