| turkeyberry | USDA PLANTS Symbol: SOTO4 U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Forbs/Herbs Shrub or Subshrub |
| Solanum torvum Sw. |
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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Solanales: Solanaceae |
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| Synonym(s): turkey berry, devil's fig, turkeyberry | |
| Native Range: Trop. Amer. | |
Turkey berry is a broadleaved, evergreen, shrub or small tree that invades a variety of ecosystems in Florida. Plants can grow to 16 ft. (4.9 m) in height. The stems are armed with stout, straight or lightly curved prickles. The alternate leaves are elliptical, 10 in. (25 cm) long, have prickles along the midvein and star-shaped hairs underneath. Leaves range from unlobed to strongly lobed. The small, white flowers occur in large, branched clusters. Plants flower continuously after reaching a height of 3.3-4.9 ft. (1-1.5 m). Fruit are small, yellow berries. Although turkey berry has only been found several times in Florida, it has the potential to invade a variety of sites, both wet and dry. Once established, it can sprout from the roots, creating large thickets that could displace native vegetation. Turkey berry is found throughout the world’s tropical regions and was introduced into Florida sometime before 1900 for cultivation trials. |
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Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources
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| Selected Images from Invasive.org | View All Images at Invasive.org |
 Plant(s); habit Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); habit in abandoned pasture Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); flowers and unripe fruits Nancy Coile, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); juvenile plant Nancy Coile, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Cesar Calderon, USDA APHIS PPQ, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Feature(s); leaves and immature fruits Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Plant(s); branch with flowers and fruit Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); flower Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); branch Forest & Kim Starr, Starr Environmental, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Fruit(s); Florida Division of Plant Industry Archive, Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Flower(s); Ken A. Langeland, University of Florida, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
 Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage |
| EDDMapS Distribution: This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org Alternative content
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 State(s) Where Reported invasive. Based on state level agency and organization lists of invasive plants from WeedUS database. Alternative content
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| Invasive Listing Sources: |
| Faith Campbell, 1998 |
| Florida Exotic Pest Plant Council |
