Solanum aviculare

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Poroporo
Poroporo
Poroporo
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Tracheobionta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Subclass: Asteridae
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. aviculare
Binomial name
Solanum aviculare
Forst

Poroporo (Solanum aviculare and S. laciniatum), also called Kangaroo Apple, is a soft-wooded plant and one of three nightshades native to New Zealand and the eastern coast of Australia. It is an evergreen shrub that can grow up to 12 feet tall (4 meters). Its hermaphroditic (having both male and female organs) flowers are white to mauve and yield to poisonous berries. The berries, once ripened, are no longer poisonous.

The leaves and unripe fruit of the poroporo are poisonous and only the ripe berries can be safely eaten. The plant is also used in the manufacture of some contraceptive pills. The plant is also used as a rootstock for grafting eggplant.

There is some uncertainty whether S. aviculare and S. laciniatum are actually the same plant. While they may be varieties of the same species, S. aviculare has lighter flowers and is found in the northern part of the North Island of New Zealand, while S. laciniatum has darker purple flowers and is found south of Auckland.

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