Devil’s needles, Star nightshade
Solanum stelligerum
Family: Solanaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 2 m tall. It can have spines 7 mm long. The leaves are simple and alternate or paired. They are 3-10 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. They are yellowish underneath. They are covered with velvety star shaped hairs. The flowers can be single or in groups and are in the axils of leaves. The flowers are 8 mm across. There are 5 petals. They are purple. The fruit is a red berry. It is 5-10 mm across. It contains several seeds.
There are about 1400 Solanum species.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. It grows in open forest.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia (country/location of origin)
How it is used for food
Edible parts
Fruit