Solanum aviculare (Kangaroo Apple) is a fruiting shrub that is native to Australia, New Zealand and Indonesia. The Kangaroo Apple is an easy to grow plant that does well in poor soils and can tolerate frosts and periods of drought. It also produces pretty violet coloured flowers during the warmer months as well as edible berries that have been used medicinally.
Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Solanum aviculare is also commonly referred to as Poporo, Bumurra, Pam Plum and Nightshade.
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Growth
Solanum aviculare is an upright, perennial shrub that can grow to 4 metres (13 feet) high and around 3 metres (10 feet) wide. Kangaroo Apples grow well in poor soils, adapts well to transplanting and flourish in a position of full sun. Plants don’t require much watering once established and will cope with frost and temperatures as low as -5°C / 23°F.
Solanum aviculare is hermaphroditic, meaning the plant carries both male and female organs, and produces flowers that can range from white to mauve to blue or violet. Once pollinated, the small berries are poisonous while still green but are edible once they turn orange.
When growing from seed, Kangaroo Apples can take between 3-5 years to start flowering and fruiting. Once mature, the plants can become invasive so growing them in containers is worth a consideration.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
For additional information visit our Growers Notes page or the list of the best gardening websites or check out the article about how to use your waste at home as a natural fertiliser.
FAMILY:
Solanaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate, Dry and Sub-Tropical.
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
-5°C to 35°C / 23 to 95°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well drained, compost rich, loamy, or sandy.
LOCATION:
Full Sun. Will tolerate some afternoon shade but full sun for at least 8 hours a day preferred,
HEIGHT:
Up to 4 metres (13 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 3 metres (10 feet)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Light.
POLLINATION:
Bees.
MATURITY:
3-5 years.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-90%
GERMINATION TIME:
Soak for 24 hours and then 3-4 weeks at 15-25°C / 62-77°F.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Easy.
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 300
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
EDIBLE:
Yes, but poisonous when berries are green.
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 3 years.
FACTS ABOUT SOLANUM AVICULARE (Kangaroo Apple)
Solanum aviculare was first noted by German naturalist Georg Forster in 1786 while in New Zealand.
The berries are cultivated commercially in Hungary and Russia and harvested to extract solasidine which is used as a base for the production of steroids.
In some indigenous communities in Australia, the fruit is used as a poultice on swollen joints.
For further information regarding the Kangaroo Apple click here.
