Alice Springs Desert Park
Alice Springs Desert ParkFauna Flora Nature Theatre Nocturnal House
The Native Tomato (Solanum ellipticum) is widespread throughout Central Australia, and when conditions are suitable provide abundant fruit (see the caution below).
The Solanum ellipticum is a sprawling perennial herb,with hairy (prickles up to 10 mm long) along the stems. It is a fast growing shrub, and can often be found growing on yellow to red sand, sandy, granite, sandstone soil and next to creek beds. They have also been seen growing on spinifex plains, scree slopes and rocky outcrops.
The Arrernte name: Alperrantyeye
Pronounced: arl~PURR~un~jee
Common name
Solanum ellipticum are known by the following common names, Potato Bush, Bush Tomato and Native Tomato. Extreme care need to be taken, when trying to identify the individual species.
| CAUTION If you are not an expert at identifying the plant, ‘DO NOT’ eat the fruit, as some Solanum species that look similar, are toxic. In the Solanum species, the unripe fruit contains the toxin solanine (the same as that found in green potatoes). Only a select few species of Solanum produce edible fruit when fully ripen. Others remain toxic. There are many other Solanum species that resemble Solanum centrale, and only some of them produce edible fruit eg Solanum chippendalei and Solanum ellipticum. Some closely related species produce fruit that are toxic. S. sturtianum is poisonous and can usually be recognised by the yellow or black dry brittle fruits. |
More information on the Bush Tomato genus Solanum and Solanum ellipticum
- Scientific classification
- Kingdom: Plantae
- Clade: Tracheophytes
- Clade: Angiosperms
- Clade: Eudicots
- Clade: Asterids
- Order: Solanales
- Family: Solanaceae
- Genus: Solanum
- Species: Solanum ellipticum
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Alice Springs Desert ParkFauna Flora Nature Theatre Nocturnal House