Woolly nightshade
Solanum mauritianum
Woolly nightshade
Other Common names: tobacco weed, wild tobacco tree
Description
Woolly nightshade is a spreading capsicum-smelling shrub that grows to 10 m. The entire shrub is covered in dusty hairs. Leaves (10-35 x 3-15 cm) are velvety, oval, and grey-green in colour. Dense clusters of mauve to purple flowers (15-20 mm in diameter) with yellow anthers appear from January to December. Flowers are followed by clusters of round berries (1 cm diameter) that ripen from hard green to soft, dull yellow.
Impact
This shrub forms dense, often pure stands. It inhibits or prevents the establishment of native plant seedlings and slows the regeneration rate of native forests. It also invades pastures, reducing pasture production. It is possibly poisonous to livestock.
What to do
Contact your regional council to determine the status of this species and responsibility for control and/or advice on control.
Page last updated: 24 March 2009