Where does the Kangaroo Apple grow?
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.
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.
Why is it called Kangaroo Apple?
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.
How do you grow kangaroo apples?
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.
What does Kangaroo Apple cure?
Kangaroo Apple This is incredible bush medicine is used traditionally as a poultice and applied to joint pain for thousands of years. The fruits (orange, with juicy pulp and shaped like a candle light globe) are known to be good bush tucker - however, only when it is thoroughly ripe.
What is Kangaroo Apple good for?
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.
Can I eat Kangaroo Apple?
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.
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).
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.
Is Kangaroo Apple poisonous to cattle?
Unripe fruit is toxic to humans, potentially toxic to sheep and cattle.
How big does a Kangaroo Apple tree grow?
Solanum 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 Kangaroo Apple native to Australia?
Solanum aviculare, commonly called poroporo or pōporo (New Zealand), bumurra (Dharug), kangaroo apple, pam plum (Australia), or New Zealand nightshade, is a soft-wooded shrub native to New Zealand and the east coast of Australia.
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.
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).
Is Kangaroo Apple poisonous to cattle?
Unripe fruit is toxic to humans, potentially toxic to sheep and cattle.
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.
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.
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.
Kangaroo Apple
1-2", orange, egg-shaped fruit with juicy pulp and numerous small seeds.
Seed Availability
Seeds are not available for the Kangaroo Apple. Please visit our seed store to view current selections. Seeds were last available in March 2017.
Description
Small, 3-10ft high shrub with ornate purple flowers blooming throughout Spring and Summer. Flowers are followed by green fruit ripening to yellow and then a deep orange. The unripe fruits are poisonous.
Hardiness
The kangaroo apple is subtropical and can be grown in areas where short freezes occur.
Uses
Sometimes eaten fresh, although fruits must be dark orange-ripe to eat. The unripe fruits are not edible and are poisonous. The kangaroo apple also has a variety of medicinal uses.
Native Range
Native to Australia and New Zealand. Often found in forests or near rainforests.
