Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Solanum mauritianum Scop. (1788)
Synonymy:
  • = Solanum auriculatum Aiton (1789)
Vernacular Name(s):
Flannel leaf; Kerosene plant; Tobacco weed; Wild tobacco tree; Woolly nightshade
 Description

Spreading, unarmed shrub or small tree to 10 m tall and with trunk to 15 cm diam., with all parts stellate-tomentose, the hairs ± sessile to long-stalked. lvs on vegetative and most flowering shoots with prominent stipule-like auricles 5–25 mm long at base; petioles to 6 cm long on flowering shoots, longer on strong vegetative shoots. Lamina 10–25–(40) × 3.5–10–(20) cm, ovate to elliptic, entire, light to dark green on upper surface, white to yellowish green on lower surface; base cuneate; apex usually acuminate but blunt at tip. Panicles dense, many-flowered, corymbose, terminal at first; rachis to 18 cm long, stout; pedicels ± erect at fruiting. Calyx c. 5 mm long, not accrescent; lobes ± elliptic. Corolla 1.5–2 cm diam., usually mauve to purple, occasionally white; lobes ovate or triangular-ovate, stellate-tomentose outside. Anthers 2–3 mm long. Berry c. 1 cm diam., globose, dull yellow; stone cells 0. Seeds 1–2 mm long, oblong-obovoid to suborbicular.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Jan.–Dec.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Biosecurity New Zealand 4 Aug 2011: Unwanted Organisms Register. http://www.biosecurity.govt.nz/pests/registers/uor
Biosecurity New Zealand 2008: National Plant Pest Accord. MAF Biosecurity New Zealand, Wellington.
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Howell, C. 2008: Consolidated list of environmental weeds in New Zealand. DOC Research & Development Series 292: 42.
Ministry for Primary Industries 23 Feb 2017: Unwanted Organisms Register. Version 02.01.02. https://www1.maf.govt.nz/uor