Giant Devils Fig

Solanum chrysotrichum Giant Devil’s Fig

DESCRIPTION

Large nightshade 3-4m tall with leaves, petioles and stems partially covered in curved thorns. Alternate deeply lobed leaves 9-35cm long by 5.5-30cm wide with soft hairs above and below. Petioles 1.5-12cm long have dense rust-coloured hairs and distinct venation.

FLOWERS AND FRUIT

White flowers are borne in hairy stalked clusters throughout the year. Yellow/orange berry fruits contain numerous seeds. Ripening throughout the year, the fruit is a favourite food of the brown cuckoo dove, and dispersed by this and other birdlife.

Habitat and range Disturbed rainforest throughout southeast Queensland and Northern New South Wales. A native of tropical Central America, this species is classified as a noxious weed.