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© Camila Abril von Rebeur Paschwitz, some rights reserved (CC-BY-NC) · iNaturalist
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Solanum sisymbriifolium
red buffalo-bur
Overview
Solanum sisymbriifolium is an erect, very prickly annual or short-lived perennial herb of the family Solanaceae, growing 1.5–5 feet (0.5–1.5 m) tall and 1.5–3 feet (0.5–1 m) wide. The stems, leaf stalks, and leaf veins are armed with numerous straight yellow prickles, and the whole plant is coated in sticky, glandular hairs. The deeply pinnately lobed leaves are 2–6 inches (5–15 cm) long. Star-shaped flowers about 1–1.4 inches (25–35 mm) across, white to pale blue with a cone of bright yellow anthers, open through summer. The fruit is a round berry about 0.5–0.8 inch (12–20 mm) wide, ripening from green to glossy red and partly enclosed by a prickly calyx. S. sisymbriifolium is native to South America and has naturalised on disturbed ground, roadsides, and field margins in many warm regions. It establishes quickly from seed and can become weedy, and the green parts and unripe fruit contain solanine-type alkaloids that are toxic to people and animals if eaten.
Native Range
Native to temperate and subtropical South America, and naturalised on disturbed ground, roadsides, and field margins in many warm regions.Suggested Uses
Grown as an ornamental and curiosity for its prickly foliage and red fruit, and used in agriculture as a trap crop for potato cyst nematode. Suited to warm, sunny sites with free-draining soil. The prickles and weedy seeding limit its use near paths, beds, and grazed land.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1'6" - 5'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Star-shaped flowers open through summer, white to pale blue with a cone of bright yellow anthers, about 1–1.4 inches (25–35 mm) across. Flowering continues over many weeks. Round berries follow, ripening from green to glossy red within a prickly calyx.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
white to pale blue with bright yellow anthersFoliage Description
greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Drought Tolerance
Drought tolerant when established
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grow Solanum sisymbriifolium in full sun in moist, free-draining soil; it tolerates a range of soils and warm, dry conditions. It grows quickly from seed and behaves as an annual in cold climates, killed by frost. Self-sown seed can spread the plant onto open ground. The dense prickles make handling and clearing difficult. The green parts and unripe fruit contain solanine-type alkaloids and are toxic to people and animals if eaten. Propagation is from seed sown in warmth in spring.Pruning
No formal pruning is needed. Spent stems can be cut down after fruiting, and self-sown seedlings removed where spread is unwanted. Whole plants can be cleared once they set seed and dry off.⚠️ Toxicity Warning
Toxic to pets and humansPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
both
Indoor Start
6 weeks before last frost
Direct Sow Timing
after the last frost when soil is warm
Days to Maturity
90–150 days
Plant Spacing
24 inches