Solanum aviculare
Solanaceae
Very common
This large shrub has soft leaves up to 35 cm long, usually with up to four large lobes, particularly on young plants. Leaves on older plants are narrow and unlobed, about 10 times as long as they are wide. The slightly raised midvein is very prominent on the underside; the branchlet stems are a purplish colour.
The violet-blue flowers, with bright yellow stamens and five spreading petals, occur from spring to summer. The plant bears plentiful eggshaped fruit, up to 3 cm long, which turn bright orange when ripe and contain numerous small brown seeds. The plant is hardy and grows quickly, but usually only lasts a few years.
DISTRIBUTION:
TAS to QLD; also in New Guinea
