tropical soda apple
(Solanum viarum)
Overview
- Appearance
- Solanum viarum 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.
- Foliage
- Leaves are broad, 6-8 in. (15.2-20.3 cm) long, 2-6 in. (5.1-15.2 cm) wide, hairy and resemble fig or oak leaves. The entire plant is loaded with 0.75 in. (1.9 cm), straight prickles.
- Flowers
- Flowering occurs year-round, with most reproduction occurring from September to May. White, 5-petaled flowers grow, in clusters, under the leaves.
- Fruit
- Fruit are 1 in. (2.5 cm) in diameter and resemble a watermelon.
- Ecological Threat
- Solanum viarum invades pastures, fields, and parks, but also has the potential to invade open forest and other natural areas. This plant forms thick stands that can be impenetrable to livestock, large wildlife, and humans.
Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Poster - Georgia Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
- Regional Tropcial Soda Apple Task Force -
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State List - This map identifies those states that list this species on their invasive species list or law. For more information, visit Invasive.org
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category I
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 3
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- South Carolina Exotic Pest Plant Council
- South Carolina Plant Pest List
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- Virginia Noxious Weeds
- Virginia Regulations for Enforcement of Noxious Weeds Law
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Subclass: Asteridae |
| Order: Solanales |
| Family: Solanaceae |
| Genus: Solanum |
| Subject: Solanum viarum Dunal |