Solanum viarum- Kandakarichunda, Tropical soda apple-plant

Description

Solanum chloranthum” redirects here. This refers to the name as established by Michel Félix Dunal. Other scientists have applied this taxon to other species.

Solanum viarum, the tropical soda apple, is a perennial shrub native to Brazil and Argentina with a prickly stem and prickly leaves. The fruit is golf-ball-sized with the coloration of a watermelon. It is considered an invasive species in the lower eastern coastal states of the United States and recently on the Mid North Coast of Australia. Seen in the Southern Peninsula area of Cape Town as of 1 November 2014.