Tobacco bush (Solanum mauritianum)
Tobacco bush is a shrub or small tree with large, hairy leaves. It is poisonous to livestock and humans.
How does this weed affect you? Tobacco bush grows quickly and can out-compete native vegetation, is a weed in plantations (e.g. macadamias and bananas), hosts fruit fly, and is toxic to livestock and humans if eaten in sufficient quantities.
What does it look like? Tobacco bush is a shrub or small tree that can grow to 4 m tall. Plants can flower and fruit in their first year.
Leaves are yellowish-green above and greyish underneath, densely hairy on both sides, 9–30 cm long and 3.5–14 cm wide. Stems are grey-green, sometimes covered in small white hairs, up to 15 cm in diameter.
Flowers are violet, bluish or purplish with bright yellow centres, 15–25 mm wide, star shaped with 5 petals. Fruit are round, 10–15 mm in diameter, green when young, dull yellow when ripe with 150–200 seeds.
Where is it found? Tobacco bush grows along the coast of NSW from the North Coast to Aurelean in the South East. It has also been found in the Murray Region. It grows in disturbed areas and is a weed in pastures, plantations (macadamias) and bushland.
How does it spread? By seed: Mature plants can produce 100,000 to 200,000 seeds per year. Birds and flying foxes eat the ripe fruit and spread the seed. By plant parts: Tobacco bush can grow from damaged stems and from root pieces.
Control: Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. Use manual or chemical methods. Control mature plants to reduce seed production and look for and control young plants before they flower.
Disposal: Contact your local council for appropriate disposal methods.
NSW DPI Weedwise
