Sodaapple Nightshade
Solanum aculeastrum
- Native to:
- Angola, Burundi, Cameroon, Central African Republic, DR Congo, Eswatini, Gulf of Guinea Is., Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Sudan-South Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zimbabwe
Franz Xaver,Franz Xaver,Franz Xaver,Bailey, Frederick Manson, 1827-1915,Franz Xaver,Franz Xaver,red. Łukasz Łuczaj
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Genus:
- Solanum
- Species:
- Solanum aculeastrum
- USDA Symbol:
- SOAC2
Growth Characteristics
- Height:
- 500 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jan,feb,mar,oct,nov,dec
- Bloom Colors:
- white, purple
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Resprouts vigorously from rootstock after fire or cutting, contributing to its invasive potential in some regions.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- native to open woodlands and grasslands
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–42 days
- Notes:
- Seeds germinate best with warm temperatures around 20-25°C. Passage through bird digestive tracts may enhance germination.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI