Solanum carolinense L.

Perennial, stellate-hairy herb to c. 1 m tall, forming an extensive, branching root system giving rise to aerial shoots; stems erect, simple or branched, with scattered straw-coloured prickles. Petioles to c. 4 cm long, sparingly prickly. Lamina 4.5–11 × 2–5 cm, lanceolate-ovate or oblong-ovate, densely hairy on both surfaces, coarsely dentate or lobulate; midrib and sometimes lateral veins sparingly prickly; base cuneate; apex acute. Cymes becoming secund, with several fls, often densely hairy; peduncles to nearly 10 cm long, sometimes nearly = lvs; pedicels ± pendent at fruiting. Calyx 4–6 mm long, slightly prickly towards base; lobes broad-ovate, shallow, apparently not accrescent, cuspidate. Corolla 2–3.5 cm diam., white or pale bluish; lobes ovate, densely covered with stellate hairs. Anthers 5–6 mm long. Berry 1–1.5 cm diam., globose, yellow or orange-yellow; stone cells 0. Seed 1.5–2.5 mm diam., reniform to nearly suborbicular.

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

Flowering: Jan.–Mar.