Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & Jagger

Title: Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & Jagger

Scientific Name:

Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M.L. Jaeger

Common Name: apple of Sodom

Source & more images (via ALA)

Habitat: Subhumid and humid warm-temperate regions, growing well on the sandy calcareous soils of coastal areas where it competes strongly with indigenous species and poorer pastures (Parsons and Cuthbertson 1992). Apple of Sodom invades dry coastal vegetation, lowland grassland and grassy woodland and rock outcrop vegetation (Carr et al., 1992).

Distribution:

Original source via GBIF

Invasiveness Assessment

ESTABLISHMENT

1. Germination requirements? Seeds germinate in spring (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

2. Establishment requirements? Established in mostly ‘open' habitats, e.g. pasture and open vegetation formations. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001; Webb et al., 1988).

3. How much disturbance is required? Establishes in minor disturbed natural ecosystems, e.g. coastal vegetation; grassland/grassy woodland and rock outcrop vegetation. Appears in some National Park's (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Carr et al., 1992).

GROWTH / COMPETITIVE

4. Life form? Erect spreading shrub. Others category. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

5. Allelopathic properties? None reported..

6. Tolerates herb pressure? "Foliage is not eaten by stock because of its prickly nature" (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992).

7. Normal growth rate? Can form dense patches which crowd out other vegetation. "Competes strongly with native species and poorer pastures". (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

8. Stress tolerance to frost, drought, w/logg, sal. etc? Tolerant of drought (occurs in central WA), some salinity (occurs in coastal areas). (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

REPRODUCTION

9. Reproductive system? Reproducing by seed.

10. Number of propagules produced? Fruit a berry: numerous seeds in each fruit berries per plant x 50 seeds per berry = 1,500 seeds per plant. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

11. Propagule longevity? ?

12. Reproductive period? Can form "dense patches which crowd out other vegetation" monocultures. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992; Webb et al., 1988)

13. Time to reproductive maturity? "Plants generally not flowering until at least 2 years old". (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

DISPERSAL

14. Number of mechanisms? Fruit eventually drops off bush and is blown or dragged away - spread by gravity. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 1992)

15. How far do they disperse?

Impact Assessment

RECREATION

1. Restrict human access? S. linnaeanum grows well in sandy coastal areas where it strongly competes with native species. If left to develop it can, "...result in dense patches which crowd out other vegetation [and] restrict stock movement." Because of its prickly nature it may potentially restrict human access. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

2. Reduce tourism? In Victoria, its distribution is limited, but it occurs in medium to large populations. Because of its prickly nature, its presence may affect some recreational activities, particularly bushwalking or hiking. (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

3. Injurious to people? An erect perennial shrub, the plant has numerous prickles on the stem, leaves and fruit. The fruit is poisonous. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

4. Damage to cultural sites? Dense patches may create a negative visual effect.

ABIOTIC

5. Impact flow? Terrestrial species. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

6. Impact water quality? Terrestrial species. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

7. Increase soil erosion? A perennial, spreading shrub with a stout taproot. Plants are partially deciduous in winter. Not likely to increase soil erosion. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

8. Reduce biomass? It competes strongly with native plants and crowds out other vegetation. Direct replacement of biomass. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

9. Change fire regime? Predominantly evergreen (plants are partially deciduous), it does not significantly increase fuel load. It therefore presents little change to the fire regime.

COMMUNITY HABITAT

10(a) Impact on composition of high value EVC? EVC=Coastal dune scrub (E); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Warnambool Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Occurs in medium to large populations and, "...competes strongly with native species." Major displacement of grasses/forbs.. (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

10(b) Impact on medium value EVC? EVC=Coastal dune scrub (D); CMA=Glenelg Hopkins; Bioreg=Victorian Volcanic Plain; VH CLIMATE potential. Occurs in medium to large populations and, "...competes strongly with native species." Impact as above. (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

10(c) Impact on low value EVC? EVC=Heathy woodland (E); CMA=Corangamite; Bioreg=Otway Plains; VH CLIMATE potential. "Grows well...[in]...coastal areas." Prefers open areas. Possible minor impact in woodland areas (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

11. Impact on structure? "Dense patches can crowd out other vegetation." It also, "...competes strongly with native species." It would have a major impact on the floral strata in coastal vegetation and grasslands (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001).

12. Effect on threatened flora?

FAUNA

13. Effect on threatened fauna?

14. Effect on non-threatened fauna?Medium to large populations, though limited in distribution. Competes with beneficial plants so is likely to reduce food source for non-threatened fauna. Spiny nature of plant discourages grazing. (Carr et al., 1992; Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

15. Benefits fauna? No benefits for fauna. "Neither the fruit nor seeds are eaten by birds or animals." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

16. Injurious to fauna? Prickles present throughout the year. Fruit is poisonous. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

PEST ANIMAL

17. Food source to pests? "Neither the fruit nor seeds are eaten by birds or animals." (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

18. Provides harbor? The plant does provide harbor for rabbits. As a perennial, it possibly provides for permanent harbor. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

AGRICULTURE

19. Impact yield? Although the fruit is poisonous, animals avoid grazing the plant because of its prickly nature. Infestations crowd out other vegetation and restricts stock movement; reduces carrying capacity. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

20. Impact quality? Seeds do not present as impurities in seed or cereal crops. No burrs to affect wool. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

21. Affect land values? It is more a problem in unimproved pastures. Would have minimal impact on land value. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

22. Change land use? It is more a problem in unimproved pastures. Seedlings are easily killed by frequent cultivation as part of crop sowing or pasture improvement. (Parsons and Cuthbertson, 2001)

23. Increase harvest costs? No evidence of increased harvest costs.

24. Disease host/vector? None evident.

Feedback

Do you have additional information about this plant that will improve the quality of the assessment? If so, we would value your contribution.

Assessment ratings originally made by the Victorian Department of Primary Industries.

The entry of this assessment was made possible through the generous support of The Weed's Network.

Attachments:

Sodom apple via ala.JPG
Capture.JPG

referenced by (1)

wra702: Common Name - A (via apple of Sodom)

Article: wra479 (permalink)
Categories: :wra:s, :wra:inv1, :wra:invmh, :wra:inv2, :wra:invml, :wra:inv3, :wra:inv4, :wra:invl, :wra:inv5, :wra:inv6, :wra:invh, :wra:inv7, :wra:inv8, :wra:inv9, :wra:inv10, :wra:inv11, :wra:invm, :wra:inv12, :wra:inv13, :wra:inv14, :wra:inv15, :wra:imp1, :wra:impml, :wra:imp2, :wra:impmh, :wra:imp3, :wra:imph, :wra:imp4, :wra:imp5, :wra:impl, :wra:imp6, :wra:imp7, :wra:imp8, :wra:imp9, :wra:imp10a, :wra:imp10b, :wra:imp10c, :wra:imp11, :wra:imp12, :wra:impm, :wra:imp13, :wra:imp14, :wra:imp15, :wra:imp16, :wra:imp17, :wra:imp18, :wra:imp19, :wra:imp20, :wra:imp21, :wra:imp22, :wra:imp23, :wra:imp24
Date: 28 July 2009; 3:00:07 PM AEST

Author Name: David Low
Author ID: adminDavid