Appearance

Solanum torvum Turkey berry is a broadleaved, evergreen, shrub or small tree that invades a variety of ecosystems in Florida. Plants can grow to 16 ft. (4.9 m) in height. The stems are armed with stout, straight, or slightly curved prickles.

Foliage

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

Flowers

Solanum torvum has small, white flowers that occur in large, branched clusters. Plants flower continuously after reaching a height of 3.3-4.9 ft. (1-1.5 m).

Fruit

The fruits are small green berries that turn yellow when ripe.

Ecological Threat

Although Solanum torvum has only been found several times in Florida, it has the potential to invade a variety of sites, both wet and dry. Once established, it can sprout from the roots, creating large thickets that could displace native vegetation. Solanum torvum is found throughout the world’s tropical regions and was introduced into Florida sometime before 1900 for cultivation trials.

Citations

Rawlins, K.A., R.L. Winston, C.T. Bargeron, D.J. Moorhead, and R. Carroll. 2018. New Invaders of the Southeast. USDA Forest Service, Forest Health Assessment and Applied Sciences Team, Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET-2017-05. Retrieved from http://bugwoodcloud.org/resource/pdf/FHTET-2017-05_New%20Invaders_SE.pdf
 

Resources

• Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
• Federal Noxious Weed Disseminules of the U.S. - USDA-APHIS
• Images and Information - University of Florida - Center for Aquatic and Invasive Plants

Selected Images

Maps

Invasive Listing Sources

• California Noxious Weeds
• Federal Noxious Weeds
• Florida Invasive Plant Council - Plant List - Category II
• Florida Noxious Weeds
• Hawaii Noxious Weeds
• Massachusetts Noxious Weeds
• Massachusetts Prohibited Plant List
• New Invaders of the Southeast
• Nonnative Invasive Species in Southern Forest and Grassland Ecosystems
• South Carolina Plant Pest List
• USDA APHIS Regulated Pest List
• WeedUS - Database of Plants Invading Natural Areas in the United States

References