''Solanum laciniatum'' is a soft-wooded shrub native to the east coast of
Australia
Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...
, notably
Victoria and
Tasmania. It also occurs in
Western Australia and
New Zealand, where some authorities consider it to be introduced. It is similar to ''
Solanum aviculare'', with which it shares the common name kangaroo apple. The common name refers to the likeness of the leaf shape to a kangaroo paw print. This plant is currently being cultivated to produce
corticosteroid
Corticosteroids are a class of steroid hormones that are produced in the adrenal cortex of vertebrates, as well as the synthetic analogues of these hormones. Two main classes of corticosteroids, glucocorticoids and mineralocorticoids, are involv ...
drugs.
Description
The shrub typically grows to a height and width of and blooms between January and February producing purple blue flowers.
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]
Habitat
Grows in well-drained soils in full sun or partial shade. Tolerates moderately salty winds. Is very fast growing but short lived. ''Solanum laciniatum'' often colonises disturbed soil and tracks.
Images
File:Solanum laciniatum Prague 2017 1.jpg, Foliage
File:Solanum laciniatum Prague 2017 3.jpg, Fruit
References
External links
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{{Taxobar, from=Q151035
laciniatum
Plants described in 1789
Flora of Victoria (Australia)
Flora of Tasmania
Flora of New Zealand
Eudicots of Western Australia