Oondoroo
Solanum simile
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
Solanum simile is a SHRUB growing to 2 m (6ft) by 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 9. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.
Height (m): 2
Where it is found
Arid environments, including coastal sands. Disturbed soils.
Australia - New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Victoria, Western Australia.
Conservation Status:
Countries/locations it is found in
How it is used
Food
Rating: 1
Fruit. The fruit is up to 15mm in diameter. No further details are given but some caution is advised and the unripe fruit should not be eaten at all.
Medicine
Rating: 2
A source of solasonine - used in the manufacture of steroidal drugs and contraceptives. The unripe fruit is the richest source.
Contraceptive: Prevents fertilization occurring in females.
Miscellany: Various medicinal actions that need more clarification.
Other
Rating: 2
Plants can be grown as a screening hedge in climates suitable for them.
Hedge: Plants that can be grown as hedges.
Miscellany: A rag-bag of items that are difficult to categorise.
Hedge: Hedge
How it is grown
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will succeed in Britain, though judging by its native range it is unlikely to succeed outdoors except in the very mildest parts of the country. Plants tolerate temperatures down to at least -7°c in Australian gardens, but this cannot be translated directly to British gardens due to our cooler summers and longer, colder and wetter winters. It is quite possible that this species can be grown at the foot of a warm sunny wall and be treated as a herbaceous perennial. As long as the roots are given a good mulch in autumn they should survive quite cold winters. This species is closely related to S. aviculare. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils in a sunny position..
Propagating it: Seed - sow spring in a warm greenhouse. Germinates in 2 - 3 weeks at 20°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing the plants as annuals, plant them out after the last expected frosts and give them some protection such as a cloche until they are growing well. If growing as a perennial, especially in areas at the limits of its cold-hardiness, it will probably be better to grow the plants on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Give them fairly large pots (12cm or larger) because they have very strong root growth. Top growth might die back over winter, but the roots should survive if temperatures in the greenhouse do not fall below about -5°c. Plant them out in early summer of the following year. The plants will be somewhat hardier in their second winter. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Very easy, the cuttings root within a couple of weeks. Pot them up in fairly large pots and overwinter them in the greenhouse before planting out in early summer.
Best place to grow: Hedge; Cultivated Beds;
Habit: Shrub
Hardiness: 8-11
Growth:
Soil: Light (sandy), medium, heavy (clay)
Shade: No shade
Moisture: Dry, moist
Things to keep in mind
Although no specific mention of toxicity has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves and sometimes also the unripe fruits.