Yarra Ranges Shire Council

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Solanum aviculare

Common Name: Kangaroo Apple
Synonym:
Family: Solanaceae
Size: 1-3m x 1-4m
Description: Erect spreading woody shrub with angular branches.
Leaves: Dark green lobed or entire broad elliptic leaves, 15-30cm long, on long stalks. 3-11 deeply cut lobes 1-10cm x 5-20mm. Leaves often at ends of branches.
Flowering: Axillary clusters of up to 10 flat star-shaped flowers to 40mm across, flower lobes pointed. Egg-shaped, edible orange-red berry, green and poisonous when immature.
Flower Colour: Violet
Flowering Time: September to February
Growing Conditions: Well drained soils in moist and riparian forests. Partial shade. Pioneer plant regenerating quickly after fires and in cleared areas.
Garden Use: Fast growing, short lived plant which will grow in sun but prefers some shade.
Related Species:
Plant Communities: 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 30, 33, 34, 40, 43
Conservation Status: Widespread within the Shire
Aboriginal Use: Food - berries when ripe, poisonous when green
Commercially available: Australian plant & indigenous nurseries
Bird Attracting: Fruit
Butterfly Attracting: No
Frog Habitat: No
Photographer: 1, 3, 4 Marilyn Gray ©; 2 Shire of Yarra Ranges photo library
Photo montage - default
Last Updated: 30/06/2010
Yarra Ranges Shire Council © 2009
P O Box 105, Anderson Street, Lilydale, VIC 3140
Tel: 1300 368 333 Fax: 9735 4249
mail@yarraranges.vic.gov.au