Solanum campylacanthum subsp. panduriforme plants in flower

These Solanum campylacanthum subsp. panduriforme plants may form large stands on disturbed land. Here they grow in the Mjejane Game Reserve on land that still used to be ploughed some years ago.

People don’t mind that tomatoes and potatoes grow easily on their land. All these inedible other Solanum plant relatives may be a bit more robust in their growth habits than what might sometimes be wished for.

Some of them bear fruits that are poisonous to people. The common names of poison apple and bitter apple given to several Solanum species are not equally useful; better treat them all as if their fruits are not merely bitter (Pooley, 1998; Van Wyk and Malan, 1997; iSpot).