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Federal Noxious Weed
TDA Noxious Weed
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US

NOTE: means species is on that list.

Solanum pseudocapsicum


Jerusalem-cherry

Synonym(s): false Jerusalem cherry, Madeira winter cherry
Family: Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Duration and Habit: Perennial Shrub


Photographer: Charles T. Bryson
Source: USDA Agricultural Research Service, Bugwood.org

Description

An erect small to medium height perennial woody shrub up to 1.5 meters in height with a spread up to 1 m. Stems are wiry and multi branched, produces bright attractive red berries and exudes an unpleasant odor. Leave are simple, alternate, elliptic to lanceolate in shape and are 5-8 cm long and 1-1.5 cm wide. Leaf margins are slightly wavy.

Native Lookalikes: Currently no information available here yet, or there are no native Texas species that could be confused with Jerusalem-cherry.

Ecological Threat: Rapidly spreads from disturbed to natural areas. Once established, it outcompetes native vegetation, threatening local plant biodiversity. Although usually ignored by livestock, the berries are fatal to humans and animals if consumed.

Biology & Spread: Can invade damp forest, riparian areas and warm temperate rain forests, forests and forest edges. Also found in disturbed areas, rough pastures and roadsides. The plant reproduces by seed, producing 50-100 seeds per berry. Birds are the main dispersal vector and are assumed to have a degree of tolerance to the toxins.

History: Historically, widely cultivated as a landscape ornamental. Now found in many warm temperature and tropical areas worldwide, including Hawaii, New Zealand and Australia.

U.S. Habitat: Most likely to invade disturbed forest and scrublands and shady open habitats. With time, it is known to spread into undisturbed habitats.

Distribution

U.S. Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: Native to eastern Argentina.

U.S. Present: HI, TX, LA, MS, AL, GA, FL, SC, IA, MA, CT

Distribution in Texas: Jerusalem cherry tends to be present up in shady places – under trees, grazed remnants, along river and stream banks and along hedgerows.

Mapping

Invaders of Texas Map: Solanum pseudocapsicum
EDDMapS: Solanum pseudocapsicum
USDA Plants Texas County Map: Solanum pseudocapsicum

Invaders of Texas Observations

List All Observations of Solanum pseudocapsicum reported by Citizen Scientists

Native Alternatives

Management

Small plants may be pulled to prevent seed dispersal, if not possible plants may be cut as low to the ground as possible for control. Herbicides are known to be effective on mature plants, often using a cut and paint application method.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Text References

Victoria Department of Environment and Primary Industries. Invasiveness Assessment - Madeira winter-cherry (Solanum pseudo capsicum) in Victoria. http://vro.depi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/invasive_madeira_winter_cherry. Accessed 4/29/2014.

Wagner, W. L. and V. A. Funk (eds.). 1995. Hawaiian biogeography: Evolution on a hot spot archipelago. Smithsonian Institution Press, Washington, DC.

Smithsonian Institution. Flora of the Hawaiian Islands. Solanum pseudocapsicum. http://botany.si.edu/pacificislandbiodiversity/hawaiianflora/speciesdescr.cfm?genus=Solanum&species=pseudocapsicum. Accessed 4/29/2014.

Online Resources

WEEDBUSTERS New Zealand Weed Information

Search Online

Google Search: Solanum pseudocapsicum
Google Images: Solanum pseudocapsicum
NatureServe Explorer: Solanum pseudocapsicum
USDA Plants: Solanum pseudocapsicum
Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States: Solanum pseudocapsicum
Bugwood Network Images: Solanum pseudocapsicum

Last Updated: 2014-04-29 by Justin Bush, Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
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