Botanical name

Solanum linnaeanum

Family

Solanaceae

Common Name

Bitter Apple, Gifappel

Synonym (old name)

Solanum hermanii
Solanum linnaeanum
Solanum linnaeanum
Solanum linnaeanum

Description

Very thorny shrub up to 1m, spines up to 12mm long, straight and yellowish. Leaves deeply lobed, usually spiny, up to 15cm long; flowers 1-few in axils, mauve to purple, 15 mm across.

Large berries bright yellow, up to 25mm in diameter.

In shape and colour, the ripe fruits resemble little apples hence the common name.

Habitat

Sandy slopes, flats and roadsides

Flower Date

Mainly June to September