Botanical name:

Solanum aviculare

Common name(s):

Poroporo

About:

A rapidly growing native New Zealand shrub characterised by open branching and a soft texture. This perennial plant is commonly found as an urban weed across various regions, including Australia, Tasmania, China, and Russia. It typically thrives in disturbed environments such as shrub-lands, gullies, riverbanks, forest edges, and areas undergoing pasture reversion, often emerging after fires. The shrub features large, seven-pointed green leaves, cascading clusters of yellow to orange berries, and vibrant blue to purple flowers. Caution is advised, as this shrub can be toxic to humans, sheep, and cattle.

Natural habitat:

Coastal to lowland from 0 - 400m. Usually in open shrub-land, in and around sea bird nesting grounds, seal haul-outs, or along forest margins. Sometimes even as an urban weed.

Growing environment:

Shade, Sun, Drought & Wind tolerant.

Endemic distribution:

New Zealand’s Kermadec, North, South and Chatham Islands. In the South Island south to about Banks Peninsula and Westland. Also present on Norfolk (Extinct), Lord Howe (Extinct) and eastern Australia and New Guinea.

Height: 3m

Flowering: 

Throughout the year with a large white / pink or bluish violet/purple flowers that have a projecting yellow centre.

Fruiting:

Throughout the year with a POISONOUS yellow or orange fruit.

Uses:

Bird food / Attractant, Bee food & Flowers

How to grow:

Easily grown from fresh seed and semi-hardwood cuttings. Tolerant of heavy shade and full sun, and dry or wet soils but not frost. However, as with all poroporo the green fruits are extremely toxic. The white flowered form (known as var. albiflorum in some flora treatments) is particularly attractive and worth growing.

** Seed germinates without pre treatment. 4 weeks cold stratification will help speed this up though