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42The fruits of Tropicalsoda apple are green(right). Native sodaapple has reddishorangefruits (below).
Tropical soda appleSolanum viarumIdentifying CharacteristicsThis prickly, herbaceous perennial grows to 6 feet tall, butis usually found about 3 feet tall. Most obvious identifyingcharacteristic is the small (one inch to golf ball size)round fruit resembling a tiny watermelon. Whenimmature, the fruits are green with dark veining; theyturn a dull, medium yellow when ripe. Fruits are apparenton plant year-round, as the plant flowers all year inFlorida. Flowers are white and five-petaled.Note: Native soda apple (Solanum capsicoides) is noninvasiveand has reddish-orange fruits.Stems have hairs and straight or downward pointingprickles up to 3 /4 inch long. Leaves also have prickles, arealternate, simple and clearly petioled. Leaf shape is ovaltriangular,nearly as broad as long at 4 to 8 inches longand 2 to 6 inches wide. Tops of leaves are covered withfine hairs, giving them a velvety sheen.HabitatFound in pastures and other open, disturbed areas such asgroves, roadsides, retention ponds and edges of pinelandand hammocks.Growth HabitsThis plant is a major agricultural concern, as the seedsare spread by contaminated hay seed, mowers and othermachinery. Most common vectors of the seeds are feralhogs and cattle, but other animals such as birds andraccoons also aid in the spread of this invasive plant. Onefruit has 200 to 400 seeds.Tropical soda apple does not always freeze back and canregenerate shoots from the extensive root system.Control Methods: FoliarPrior to fruiting, apply glyphosate, triclopyr amine ortriclopyr ester to leaves. Fruit will ripen after plant istreated with herbicide. Collect fruit and dispose of inplastic bags to prevent reestablishment. Pull seedlings byhand (use gloves!).ReplacementsRouge plant (Rivina humilis)Adam’s needle (Yucca filamentosa)Wild coffee (Psychotria spp.)43
Page 3 and 4: This guide is intended and designed
Page 5 and 6: Plant List10 Air potato and Air yam
Page 7 and 8: Herbicide Application TechniquesHer
Page 9 and 10: • Buy the right amount for your n
Page 11 and 12: WATER-BASED HERBICIDES (CUT-STUMP A
Page 13: Air potatoAir yamDioscorea spp.D. b
Page 17: Brazilian pepperSchinus terebinthif
Page 21: Chinaberry treeMelia azedarachIdent
Page 24 and 25: 22The midvein is offcenterin Cogon
Page 27 and 28: Guinea grassPanicum maximum(sometim
Page 29: Japanese climbing fernOld World cli
Page 33 and 34: Lead treeJumbie beanLeucaena leucoc
Page 35: MelaleucaPunk treeMelaleuca quinque
Page 39: Rosary peaCrab’s eyesAbrus precat
Page 43: Torpedo grassBullet grassPanicum re
Page 47 and 48: Camphor treeCinnamomum camphoraMost
Page 50 and 51: SourcesFlorida Department of Enviro

Hillsborough County ISTF - Manatee County Extension Office ...

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