Wetland Nightshade Solanum tampicense
University of Florida, IFAS, Center for Aquatic Plants	Non-Native Invasive Plants

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Wetland nightshade (Solanum tampicense) (AKA aquatic soda apple) is an invasive nonindigenous plant spreading over the wetlands of Florida. The weed is believed to have come from Mexico and Belize. First noticed in Florida in 1983, wetland nightshade has spread into many wetland areas of southwest Florida.

How To Identify Wetland Nightshade
High resolution 8" X 11" drawing--5.8 MB


The flowers of wetland nightshade are white and yellow, and tomato-like (being in the same botanical genus as edible tomatoes). Its fruits are pea-sized berries, in clusters of up to 11 berries. The berries turn from green to orange to deep red as they ripen. Wetland nightshade leaves are elongate (to 6 inches long, 2 inches wide), with indented edges and prickles on the veins. Sprawling stems are up to one-half inch wide and 6 to 15 feet long, and are covered in curved prickles. The prickles snag and interlock so that plants can form impenetrable thickets that can cover over small trees and bushes to a height of 15 feet.


For more information and pictures about wetland nightshade, as contained in the Langeland/Burks book, Identification & Biology of Non-Native Plants in Florida's Natural Areas, download this Acrobat .PDF file.


Somebody is looking into the matter: Dr. Alison Fox, Research Assistant Professor, is studying its invasive potential and possible management methods. Dr. Fox would like some help. If you believe you have seen aquatic soda apple, please contact her at (352) 392-9613, or e-mail her:amfox@gnv.ifas.ufl.edu


The UF/IFAS Assessment lists plants according to their invasive status in Florida. View the list here.

Click here to see the herbarium specimen image of the UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA HERBARIUM DIGITAL IMAGING PROJECTS.

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