Solanum stelligerum
Smith
Devil’s needles, Star nightshade
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(c) Lucas Christofides, some rights reserved (CC BY)
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(c) Lucas Christofides, some rights reserved (CC BY)
Summary
Source: WikipediaSolanum stelligerum, the star nightshade or devil's needles, is a species of flowering plant in the family Solanaceae, native to eastern Australia. A woody shrub reaching 2 m (7 ft), it is typically found growing on sand dunes, in open Eucalyptus woodlands, and on forest edges. The small red fruit are eaten by Aboriginal Australians, but it is recommended to only consume low quantities.
Description
A shrub. It grows 2 m tall. It can have spines 7 mm long. The leaves are simple and alternate or paired. They are 3-10 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are yellowish underneath. They are covered with velvety star shaped hairs. The flowers can be single or in groups and are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 8 mm across. There are 5 petals. They are purple. The fruit is a red berry. It is 5-10 mm across. It contains several seeds.
Edible Uses
The red fruit is eaten.
Distribution
A tropical plant. It grows in open forest.
Where It Grows
Australia*,
Notes
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
References (5)
- Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 934
- Cherikoff V. & Isaacs, J., The Bush Food Handbook. How to gather, grow, process and cook Australian Wild Foods. Ti Tree Press, Australia p 120, 196
- Cooper, W. and Cooper, W., 2004, Fruits of the Australian Tropical Rainforest. Nokomis Editions, Victoria, Australia. p 523
- Lazarides, M. & Hince, B., 1993, Handbook of Economic Plants of Australia, CSIRO. p 223
- Williams, J.B., Harden, G.J., and McDonald, W.J.F., 1984, Trees and shrubs in rainforests of New South Wales and Southern Queensland. Univ. of New England, Armidale. p 57
