Solanum eleagnifolium

Solanum eleagnifolium is a much-branched shrublet that grows from a woody rootstock to heights around 30 cm. Indigenous in parts of North America, it is an exotic weed in South Africa and many other parts of the world, commonly known locally as satansbos (Satan’s bush), silverleaf bitter apple or silverleaf nightshade.

The stems are armed with prickles, variable in numbers or density and sometimes reddish in colour. The plant is said to spread vegetatively from rhizomes as well as from seed.

At least 15 exotic Solanum species (of the 1400 worldwide), have become notable weeds in South Africa (Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; Leistner (Ed.), 2000; Wikipedia).