Kangaroo Apple

Marj Doyle asked 10 years ago

Last spring I noticed a small plant in my garden with a large fig type leaf and I decided to leave it to see what it grew into. When the stem reached about 18 inches a nodding small blue flower with a yellow centre was produced. The plant is now about 3 ft, a single stem, and it has produced single flowers continuously over the summer When each flower dies off a large green seed develops. On doing some research, I have come to the conclusion that it is a New Zealand Kangaroo Apple – a Solanum. Is that correct and is it a rare plant or just a weed? Incidentally, I also came across the same plant on a walking path about 2 miles away – just one single stem also.

1 Answers

Gerry Daly Staff answered 6 years ago
Yes, it looks like Solanum laciniatum, which makes a big bush, is not frost hardy and the berries and leaves are poisonous if ingested. It grows readily from seeds and there must have been some source of the seeds nearby or carried there. It can be grown outside in summer and can survive mild winters and in mild areas.

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