Family:
Solanaceae
Solanum simile
Oondoroo
Other Names:
First Nations Name(s):
Regional Subspecies:
Occurrence:
Regional:
A rare plant of the area, noted in a few scattered locations, including on the lower country of Long Plain-West Hume and in The Rock-Henty-Milbrulong region (east of Pleasant Hills on stony country). Likely to have been more common throughout the region.
Australia:
NSW, Vic, SA, WA.
Habitat:
Drier disturbed areas, gravel creekbanks and roadside verges. Mainly red earths in communities including White Cypress Pine, Wilga and Belah.
Habit:
Erect, hairless shrub to 2 m high. Deep-green leaves 3-8 cm long.
Flowering:
Purple, chiefly spring.
Seed Collection:
Mid Dec to mid Mar. Globular berry. Monitor closely as mature fruits shed in 3-14 days.
Propagation:
From fresh seed. Wash before sowing. Germinates in 3-6 weeks. Suitable for direct seeding into pots.
Regeneration:
Abundant after fire.
VALUES:
Land Protection:
A useful ‘pioneer’ plant for revegetation works, establishing quickly and providing shelter for slower growing species.