| tropical soda apple |
USDA PLANTS Symbol: SOVI2 USDA ARS GRIN: 317433 ITIS: 505273 NAPIS: PEWAIQB |
| Solanum viarum Dunal | |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Solanales: Solanaceae |
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Tropical soda apple is a perennial, shrubby forb that is on the Federal Noxious Weed list. Plants grow to 6 ft. (1.8 m) in height and width. Leaves are broad, 6-8 in. (15-20 cm) long, 2-6 in. (5.1-15.2 cm) wide, hairy and resemble fig or oak leaves. The entire plant is armed with ¾ in. (1.9 cm) long, straight prickles. Flowering occurs year-round, with most reproduction occurring from September to May. White, 5-petaled flowers develop, in clusters, below the leaves. Fruit are 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter and resemble a watermelon (a mottled mix of whitish and dark greens). Tropical soda apple primarily invades pastures, fields, and parks, but also has the potential to invade open forest and other natural areas. Tropical soda apple forms thick stands that can be impenetrable to livestock, large wildlife, and humans. Tropical soda apple is native to South America and was introduced accidentally into Florida in the 1980s. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
- Nonnative Invasive Plants of Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Regional Tropcial Soda Apple Task Force -
- Poster - Georgia Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Seedling(s); Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seedling(s); John D. Byrd, Mississippi State University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Foliage; James Rollins, , Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); flowers Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Thorny nightshade from Argentina, first appeared in the United States in pastures and rangelands in Glades County, Florida, in 1988. Mottled green fruits that look like small watermelons are a distinguising feature of the plant. J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); Flower, Fruit, Stem, and Foliage Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Mature fruit Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); fruit in November John W. Everest, Auburn University, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); USDA APHIS PPQ Archive, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; In a field along with cattle Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); In a pasture with cattle Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Charles T. Bryson, USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Infestation; Grows well in sun and shade and is invading tree hammocks where it prevents cattle from seeking refuge from the sun in southern pastures. J. Jeffrey Mullahey, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); growing out of a bag of manure Randy Westbrooks, U.S. Geological Survey, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
Taxonomic References:
- USDA, NRCS. 2001. The PLANTS Database, Version 3.1, National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA 70874-4490 USA.
Invasive Listing Sources:
- Archbold Biological Station
- Faith Campbell, 1998. Plants that Hog the Garden: Invasive Plants in the United States. Fine Gardening Online
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Arizona Noxious Weeds
- California Noxious Weeds
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council Category I
- Florida Keys Invasive Species Task Force
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Treasure Coast Cooperative Invasive Species Mgmt. Area - EARLY DRAFT
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council Category 3
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Minnesota Noxious Weeds
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- North Carolina Noxious Weeds Class A
- Oregon Noxious Weeds
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
- South Carolina Noxious Weeds
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council Severe Threat
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- Vermont Noxious Weeds
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