Solanum seaforthianum (SOLANACEAE) Brazilian Nightshade

Weeds to Whack

This weed is a native of Brazil as the common name suggests. An aggressive climber, Brazilian Nightshade is a garden escapee. It was grown (and may still be) in Brisbane and throughout warmer regions of the world for its attractive mauve-bue star-shaped flowers which develop into glossy red berries. Stems are green and hairless. Leaf blades (lamina) are deeply lobed, with 3-9 lobes that look a little like individual leaflets.
Photo: Matt Tomkins

Fruit

Fruits become shiny, red, globular berries about 1 cm in diameter.

Photo: Anne Jones 

Flowers with Bee

Flowers are star-like when open, mauve-blue, up to 3 cm across. Petals are joined at the base. The flower clusters are showy, with up to 50 flowers in a cluster.
Photo: Mark Crocker

Flower closeup

A problem in moist creek edges, as it gets very intertwined with other plants.

Photo: Mark Crocker