General
Tropical soda apple, described as the ‘weed from hell’, has sprouted following Black Summer
Farmers along the north coast of New South Wales are at war with a noxious weed that has sprung out of the ground following the 2019 bushfires.
Key points:
- Tropical soda apple is one of only two weeds in NSW with a biosecurity control order
- Native to South America, tropical soda apple is a species that prefers wet environments
- Increased rain during the current La Niña brings with it increased risk of spread
Tropical soda apple (Solanum viarum) was first identified in Australia in 2010 by beef cattle enterprise owners Caroline and David Duff near Armidale.
“This thing is more aggressive than anything I’ve ever witnessed,” Mr Duff said.
“It grows all year round, so it’s not like those annual weeds.”
With seeds germinating in six to 12 weeks and…
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