Solanum stelligerum
devil's needles
Overview
Solanum stelligerum is an evergreen shrub in the nightshade family reaching 3-10 feet (1-3 m) tall, with slender, arching, sparsely branched stems. Young stems, leaf stalks, and flower stalks bear scattered straight orange to reddish prickles up to 0.4 inch (10 mm) long and a covering of tiny star-shaped (stellate) hairs. Leaves are lance-shaped to narrowly oval, 1.5-4.5 inches (4-11 cm) long, dark green above and paler beneath, with smooth or slightly wavy margins. Star-shaped flowers 0.4-0.6 inch (10-15 mm) across, with five purple to violet (occasionally white) petals and a central cone of yellow anthers, hang in small loose clusters mainly in spring and summer. Flowers are followed by smooth round berries 0.2-0.4 inch (6-10 mm) wide that ripen from green to bright red. Like many Solanum spp. species, the plant contains alkaloids and the berries are not considered safe to eat. The prickly stems make the plant hazardous to brush against.
Native Range
Native to eastern Australia, from Victoria through New South Wales to Queensland. Grows in dry sclerophyll forest, woodland, and rainforest margins, often on rocky slopes and in disturbed ground, from the coast to the inland ranges.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and habitat gardens, on rocky banks, and in bird-attracting plantings where the red berries feed fruit-eating birds, spaced 5-8 feet (1.5-2.4 m) apart. The prickly stems suit barrier and screening roles. The spines and alkaloid-bearing berries limit its use in gardens used by children.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 10'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 3 years
Bloom Information
Flowers mainly from spring into summer, between September and February, with occasional flowers at other times in mild climates. A flowering flush lasts 3-5 weeks. Berries ripen from green to red over the following 1-2 months, so flowers and developing fruit often appear together.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
purple to violetFoliage Description
dark greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-9 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in well-drained sandy or rocky soil in full sun to part shade, tolerating dry, exposed sites once established. Water through the first season to settle the roots; mature plants are drought-tolerant and need little watering. Open, sparse growth is typical and the plant rarely forms a dense shrub. Few pests or diseases are significant. Self-sown seedlings appear where birds drop the seed. The prickly stems make handling and weeding around the plant slow.Pruning
Cut back straggly stems in late winter to encourage bushier growth and remove dead wood. Plants reshoot from lower buds after moderate pruning. The prickles slow the work, so cuts are usually limited to shaping. No routine pruning is needed for plant health.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter