Woolly Nightshade poisons the soil around it which inhibits our native species from growing. Help stop the spread!
Woolly Nightshade or Tobacco Plant (Solanaceae – Solanum mauritianum) produces toxins that poison the soil (is Allelopathic) which inhibits the growth of other species. Woolly Nightshade matures quickly, producing a purple flower which soon yields yellow fruit that birds find attractive and readily spread.
The berries are moderately toxic to people (especially children) and to livestock. The leaves shed fine hairs when touched, which irritate the skin, eyes, nose and throat and in some cases cause trouble with breathing. Anecdotal evidence would suggest that birds that gorge themselves on the seed may be poisoned.
Woolly Nightshade is in our Dirty Dozen because it spreads and grows quickly, poisoning the soil around it which inhibits the growth of other species and because it presents a health risk.
Woolly Nightshade Immature Berries
How you can help…
You can remove it by hand pulling small seedlings or you can apply herbicide to remove them. You can find out how best to control Woolly Nightshade and what to use on NRC’s Pest Control Hub (click here)
Need help?
If you are in the Tutukaka area and need help or access to herbicide and tools please contact us on text 022 526 1972 or email s.w.a.tutukaka@gmail.com – our team of weed surveyors and slayers are only too happy to assist!
For more information check out Northland Regional Council’s Pest Control Hub (click here) or Weedbusters (click here)
Join Tutukaka Land Care