How poisonous is Kangaroo Apple?
All green parts of the plant are poisonous and so is the unripe fruit, but edible when fully ripe (PFAF). All plants in this genus are toxic to some degree. Although the ripe orange fruits are sometimes eaten, the green berry fruits are poisonous, as are the leaves.
When can you eat kangaroo apples?
Only when it's blushing and bursting with ripe, red fruit is it safe to eat. It's a magnificent plant to observe over time as the fruit changes from green, yellow, orange, and red while the flowers bloom a lovely lilac. The leaves of the plant resemble the paw print of the kangaroo hence its name.
Where does Kangaroo Apple come from?
Solanum laciniatum or Kangaroo Apple, a common name shared with the closely related S. aviculare, occurs in temperate regions of New South Wales, the Australian Capital Territory, Victoria, South Australia, Tasmania, New Zealand and associated islands on a range of soil types.
What is the scientific name for Kangaroo Apple?
Solanum aviculareSolanum aviculare / Scientific name
Are Kangaroo Apple leaves poisonous?
An attractive small shrub with purple flowers, that are follow by bright orange to red fruits that are edible when fully ripe, but caution should be taken with them as they are poisonous when green. It gets its name from the shape of the lobed leaves which resemble the shape of a kangaroo foot.
Is Kangaroo Apple still used today?
Traditionally Indigenous women would create a drink out of the boiled unripe fruit, which would act as a contraceptive. Today, Kangaroo Apple is a key ingredient in many contraceptive pills (Kamenev, 2011).
What Does a Kangaroo Apple plant look like?
Kangaroo Apple has large, dark green leaves which are deeply lobed or toothed. The flowers are purple and have 5 petals. The flowers are in the common Solanum shape. The most interesting part of a Kangaroo Apple plant is the fruit which is egg shaped and changes from green to red/orange as they ripen.
Is Kangaroo Apple poisonous to cattle?
Unripe fruit is toxic to humans, potentially toxic to sheep and cattle.
Can you grow Kangaroo Apple from cuttings?
You can propagate your own Kangaroo Apple using seed or a hardwood cutting.
How do you start Kangaroo Apple seeds?
Plant seeds in full sun to part shade. It thrives in moist, not wet, soil but will tolerate some drying out. If container grown, the plant can be brought inside if cold snaps are forecast. If you do want to eat the fruit, to be safe, wait until they have fallen from the plant.
How tall does Kangaroo Apple grow?
three metresSolanum aviculare is known as the Kangaroo Apple and is a small to medium spreading shrub. In our cold climate garden plants usually reach a maximum height of three metres. The leaves may be entire or lobed, up to 30 centimetres long, deep green above and lighter green beneath.
Is Solanum Laciniatum poisonous?
Ripe fruit are eaten by Aborigines in Tasmania and by Maori in New Zealand - but be aware that unripe fruit are poisonous.
How do you eat kangaroo apples?
Kangaroo Apple fruit are eaten fresh, raw or cooked. They can be added to baked goods or used to make jams or jellies. Roast Kangaroo Apple fruit alongside meats or poultry, or use to make a chutney. Kangaroo Apple fruit can be dehydrated or dried to preserve.
How did aboriginals use Kangaroo Apple?
The fruit was used as a poultice on swollen joints. The plant contains a steroid which is important to the production of cortisone. The Kangaroo Apple plant also known as poroporo has been used over centuries in traditional Aboriginal medicine for restoration and aid of the skin.
How long does Kangaroo Apple live?
Adaptable to a variety of different soil and light conditions, it grows in heavy clay to well-draining mediums, and is a fantastic screen or fast establishing cover for sensitive garden plants. Plants are fast growing, with the average life expectancy being five to six years under good conditions.
Is Kangaroo Apple poisonous to cattle?
Unripe fruit is toxic to humans, potentially toxic to sheep and cattle.
Current Facts
Kangaroo Apple is the common name for two almost identical species, and is the name of both the plant and its fruit. Solanum laciniatum and its look-a-like, Solanum aviculare, are in the nightshade family, and are related to tomatoes, eggplant and tobacco. It is.
Nutritional Value
Kangaroo Apple fruit are a good source of vitamin C and beta-carotene. The small berries contain phytochemicals called phenols, which are beneficial antioxidants shown to protect against things like heart disease, stroke and cancer. The fruits also contain important alkaloids and a type of steroid that helps the body produce cortisone.
Applications
Kangaroo Apple fruit are eaten fresh, raw or cooked. They can be added to baked goods or used to make jams or jellies. Roast Kangaroo Apple fruit alongside meats or poultry, or use to make a chutney. Kangaroo Apple fruit can be dehydrated or dried to preserve.
Field Work
Visit a conservation park or search roadsides for the Kangaroo Apple. We found this one on a roadside in SA. Take photos of your plant, its seeds, fruit, leaves, and flowers. Use your metadata to measure the plant, its fruit, leaves, and flowers so you’re able to sketch a life-size specimen in your field journal.
Field Journaling
Draw or paste a photo of your plant inside your field journal. Older children can sketch the plant and its parts such as the fruit, leaves, and flowers as well as label them. Don’t forget to add the date, weather, time, and place. Make a note of all you’ve observed on and around this plant alongside your field sketches.
Would you like to learn more about the Kangaroo Apple?
The Australian Nature Study Guide Volume 1 has a full lesson on the Kangaroo Apple that includes a picture study, and activities for kinda, primary, and secondary school-aged children.
What is a Kangaroo Apple?
Kangaroo apple plants are unrelated to apples, although they do bear fruit. A member of the Solanaceae family, Solanum aviculare is also sometimes referred to as New Zealand nightshade, giving us a clue as to the characteristics of the fruit. Nightshade, another Solanaceae member, is poisonous like many other Solanacea members.
Propagating Kangaroo Apple
Kangaroo apple growing occurs via seed or hardwood cuttings. The seeds are difficult but not impossible to come by. They take several weeks to germinate. An evergreen, kangaroo apple is suited to USDA hardiness zones 8-11.
