Erect shrub to 2 m high, green, glabrous or sparsely pubescent on new growth; prickles absent. Leaves oblong-lanceolate, 4–10 cm long, 1–3 cm wide, apex acute or acuminate, base attenuate, margins slightly undulate, concolorous, if hairs present then forked; petiole 0.5–1.5 cm long. Inflorescences simple or forked, 1-several-flowered; primary peduncle 0–1 cm long. Flowers on pedicels c. 10 mm long; calyx 4–5 mm long, lobes narrow-triangular, 2–3 mm long; corolla deeply stellate, 10–15 mm diam., white, lobes ovate; anthers 2–3 mm long. Berry globose, 10–15 mm diam., bright orange-red; seeds 3–4 mm long, yellowish. Flowers mostly spring–autumn.
MuM, VVP, VRiv, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, NIS, EGL, EGU, HSF, HNF, Strz, VAlp. Also naturalised WA, SA, Qld, NSW, Tas. Native to South America. Widespread weed of disturbed sites mainly in higher rainfall areas or lining creeks or gullies in drier districts.
Source:
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Solanaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 332–365. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
