Appearance

Solanum tampicense is a sprawling, semi-woody shrub that invades wetlands in Florida. The green stems are up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) long and prickly.

Foliage

Leaves are alternate, to 10 in. (25 cm) long, 3 in. (7 cm) wide, wavy along the margins and have prickles on the veins.

Flowers

Solanum tampicense has small, white flowers occur in small clusters at the leaf axils during the summer to fall.

Fruit

The fruits are small tomato-like berries that turn bright red when ripe.

Ecological Threat

Solanum tampicense, being tolerant of full sun and full shade, can invade many types of wetland ecosystems such as cypress swamps and river edges. It is capable of forming extensive, dense stands that displace native vegetation. It is native to the West Indies and Central America. It was accidentally introduced into Florida. The ability of Solanum tampicense to form dense thickets that are difficult for other species to penetrate suggests this noxious weed has the potential to invade and alter many of Florida’s wetland habitats as well as impede access to and use of water resources (Fox and Wigginton, 1996; Fox and Bryson, 1998)

Resources

• Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
• Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• Alabama Invasive Plant Council - Watch list B
• Federal Noxious Weeds
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category I
• Florida Noxious Weeds
• Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
• Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• South Carolina Illegal Aquatic Plants
• South Carolina Plant Pest List
• USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References