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.