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Scrambling nightshade

Solanum tampicense

Also called Wetland Nightshade, Aquatic Soda Apple

Scrambling nightshade
Photo: Alison Fox, University of Florida, Bugwood.org, CC BY 3.0 us

Scrambling nightshade is a perennial vine, shrub or small tree from the nightshade family, native to Mexico, the West Indies and Central America, and invasive in Florida. It is grown mainly as a wetland or landscape plant, and its key feature is that it likes moist conditions.

Family
Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
Grows as
Tree, Shrub, Climber
Light
Full sun, Shade
Water
Keep soil consistently moist, as it naturally grows in wetlands and swamp margins.
Soil
Moist, fertile soil; tolerates wet or poorly drained ground.
Temperature
18–32 °C; protect below 10 °C
How easy
Easy
Safety
Toxic: Solanum species contain steroidal glycoalkaloids, mainly in the unripe green fruits, leaves and stems, which can cause nausea, vomiting and digestive upset if eaten.. Toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
Native range
Mexico to Venezuela, Cuba, Cayman Is.
Climate
seasonally dry tropical

About

Solanum tampicense, also known as wetland nightshade, aquatic soda apple, and scrambling nightshade, is a perennial in the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. It can exist as a vine, tree, or shrub and is native to the West Indies and Central America. It is classified as a noxious weed by the United States Department of Agriculture and by several states and is known as an invasive species in the state of Florida.

This species is known by various other common names such as Tampico soda apple, and wetlands soda apple.

Where it grows

Solanum tampicense is known to grow in undisturbed wetlands such as cypress swamps and near river margins. Wetland nightshade may grow in large stands where it acts as an epiphyte; growing on native species and in the understory of cypress heads. In the state of Florida, Solanum tampicense is known to grow in strand swamps, floodplain swamps, and ruderal communities.

Other Solanum plants

Nightshade · Dwarf Tamarillo · Solanum acaule · Solanum acerifolium · Sodaapple nightshade · Dutch Eggplant · Solanum adenophorum · Solanum adoxum · Sonoita nightshade · Ethiopian nightshade · Solanum africanum · Solanum agnewiorum

Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Solanum tampicense by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.

The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.

Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.

Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.

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