Charles T. Bryson,
USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org
Family: Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Synonym(s):
Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 1
TDA Noxious Weed: 1
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0
Description: Upright, thorny perennial subshrub or shrub, 3 to 6 feet (1 to 2 m) in height, with leaves shaped like oak leaves, clusters of tiny white flowers, and green-to-yellow golf-ball size fruit. Fruit sweet smelling and attractive to livestock and wildlife. Remains green over winter in most southern locations.
History: Native to Argentina and Brazil and introduced into Florida in the 1980s. No known use. A Federal listed noxious weed with an eradication program underway.
Biology & Spread: The sweet smell of the fruit attracts livestock and wildlife that eat and spread the seed. Each plant can produce approximately 50,000 seeds. It reproduces primarily by seed, but can also spread by roots.
Ecological Threat: Tropical soda apple is on the Federal Noxious Weed List (UUSDA NRCS). It reduces biological diversity in natural areas by displacing native plants and disrupting ecological integrity. Plant prickles can restrict wildlife grazing and create a physical barrier to animals, preventing movement through infested areas. It contains solasodine, which is poisonous to humans. This invader also serves as a host for viruses that infect important vegetable crops.
US Habitat: Located in open semi-shaded areas such as pastures, ditch banks, roadsides, recreational areas, citrus groves, sugar cane fields, and wet areas of rangeland. It is typically found in soils that are poorly drained and sandy, but cannot survive extremely wet soils.
Distribution
US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.
Native Origin: Southern Brazil, Paraguay
US States: AL, FL, GA, MS, NC, PA, SC, TN
Resembles/Alternatives: Resembles horsenettle (Solanum carolinense).
Management: Manual- Mowing can be used to stop fruit production; wear gloves when handling plants
Chemical- It can be effectively controlled using any of several readily available general use herbicides such as glyphosate, imazapyr or triclopyr. Collect and destroy fruit to prevent reestablishment. Follow label and state requirements.
Biological control: The bacterial pathogen Ralstonia solanacearum (E. F. Smith) Yabuuchi is effective in causing plants to wilt and die.
USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.
Listing Source
Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station
Text References
Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 pp (USDA SRS).
Data Source
Last Updated: 2013-12-05 by LBJWFC