A North American species turned super-weed, and now very widespread. Its fruit has given it the name of Bitter-apple. It is toxic to livestock, and in Africa it is known as Satansbos (Devil's bush). Katsekera area, Malawi
Ppolo k mai or Thorny ppoloSolanaceaeEndemic to the Hawaiian Islands (Kauai, extinct; Molokai, extinct; Lnai, extinct; Maui, extinct; extant only on Hawaii Island)NatureServe: Critically ImperiledOahu (Cultivated)EtymologyThe Latin generic name Solanum is derived from solor or solatus, comforter, for some plants in this genus that were used medically, specifically S. nigrum, once used to treat epilepsy.The Latin epithet incompletum, lacking parts, in reference to the flowers.nativeplants.hawaii.edu/
close up image of Solanum dulcamara BITTERSWEET NIGHTSHADE at the James Woodworth Prairie Preserve - another flower at full bloom, just starting to die back detailing petals and reproductive organs. This is an invasive, non-native species at the Peacock/Woodworth Prairie.