Solanum mauritianum

Species

Woolly nightshade (Solanum mauritianum) is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree that is native to South America. It was introduced to New Zealand as a garden ornamental and was first recorded in the wild (naturalised) in 1883. The plant grows up to about 10 metres tall and has large, grey-green leaves and young stems covered in dense, velvety hairs. It can flower throughout the year, producing clusters of purple flowers with yellow centres, which develop into round yellow berries. It tolerates frost, wind, poor soils and disturbed sites. It reproduces by seed. Seeds are dispersed by birds. Fine hairs on the leaves and stems can irritate the skin and eyes, and the pollen can trigger asthma or respiratory irritation in some people. The berries are poisonous.

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