tropical soda apple
(Solanum viarum)
This species is Introduced in the United States
Native Range
South America
Appearance
Tropical soda apple typically grows as a perennial and partially woody subshrub. Its root system can be up to 1 ft (30 cm) deep with shallow, lateral branches. Mature plants are 3–6 ft tall (0.9–1.8 m) and have multiple branching stems. Stems, branches, and leaves are covered in short, fine hairs. Leaves are broadly oval, deeply lobed, and often drooping. Rigid, yellow spines are scattered on stems, branches, and leaf veins. Flowers have five white, recurved petals, and they occur in small clusters on stems below the leaves. Fruits are berries up to 1 in (2½ cm) across; they are mottled green when young, but turn yellow at maturity. Each contains up to 400 small brown seeds.
Impact
Tropical soda apple displaces native species in natural areas and reduces range and pasture production. The prickly leaves and stems are unpalatable to livestock and native grazing animals, and dense stands block access to water and shaded areas. Tropical soda apple is also a reservoir for several pathogens and insect pests that attack crop plants in the same family, for example potato virus Y and tomoato mosaic virus.
Reference
Diaz, R. and R. Charudattan. 2022. Tropical Soda Apple (Solanum viarum): History and Ecology in North America. In: R.L. Winston, Ed. Biological Control of Weeds in North America. North American Invasive Species Management Association, Milwaukee, WI. NAISMA-BCW-2022-24- TROPICAL SODA APPLE-P. https://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/files/25373.pdf
Resources
- Invasive Species Management Plans for Florida - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants
- Poster - Georgia Cooperative Agricultural Pest Survey
- Regional Tropcial Soda Apple Task Force -
- A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
- Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
- Domestic Programs Pest Evaluation - USDA APHIS PPQ
- Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
- Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Selected Images
Maps
EDDMapS Distribution - This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts, herbaria, and literature. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org
State Lists - This map identifies those states that have this species on their invasive species list or law.
Invasive Listing Sources
- Alabama Invasive Plant Council
- Alachua County Cogongrass Initiative
- Arkansas Noxious Weeds
- Federal Noxious Weeds
- Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category I
- Florida Noxious Weeds
- Georgia Exotic Pest Plant Council - Category 3
- Invasive Species of Concern in Georgia
- John Randall, The Nature Conservancy, Survey of TNC Preserves, 1995.
- Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
- Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
- Mississippi Noxious Weeds
- National Park Service, Mid-Atlantic Exotic Plant Management Team Invasive Plant List
- Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
- South Carolina Plant Pest List
- Tennessee Exotic Pest Plant Council
- Tennessee Noxious Weeds
- Texas Noxious Weeds
- USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
- Virginia Invasive Plant Species List
- Virginia Noxious Weeds
- Virginia Regulations for Enforcement of Noxious Weeds Law
- WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States
Taxonomic Rank
| Domain: Eukarya |
| Kingdom: Plantae |
| Phylum: Magnoliophyta |
| Class: Magnoliopsida |
| Superorder: Asteranae |
| Order: Solanales |
| Family: Solanaceae |
| Genus: Solanum |
| Solanum viarum |
Other System Links
Plants: SOVI2
Bayer: SOLVI
GRIN: 317433
ITIS: 505273
NPDN Pest: PEWAIQB
NPDN Host: 34997
References
Common Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.
Scientific Name Reference: USDA, NRCS. 2010. The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Center, Baton Rouge, LA, USA.