Devil's fig is a shrub up to 3 m tall with large leaves and white flowers. It is an environmental weed that competes with native plants.
Devil’s fig is an environmental and agricultural weed that can:
Devil’s fig fruit are often eaten by people but they can contain a variety of toxins. The amount of toxins in the fruit varies greatly depending on the origin of the fruit and the environmental conditions that the fruit are exposed to. Extreme cases of poisoning from eating small amounts of fruit have included symptoms such as diarrhea, dizziness, slurred speech, partial paralysis, high blood pressure and respiratory failure.
If the patient is unconscious, unresponsive or having difficulty breathing dial 000 or get to the emergency section of a hospital immediately. If the patient is conscious and responsive call the Poisons Information Centre on 13 11 26 or your doctor. If going to a hospital take a piece of the plant for identification or take a photo and take it with you to the hospital.
Devil’s fig contains steroidal glycoalkaloids, and calcinogenic glycosides, which can cause weight loss and lameness if eaten in large amounts over a long time. There are no reported cases of poisoning in Australia.
Devil's fig is an erect perennial shrub up to 3 m tall it sometimes has prickles on the stems and young leaves.
Devil’s fig looks similar to many other solanums including two other weed species:
In NSW devil's fig grows in the North Coast region and a few plants have been found on the central coast of the Greater Sydney region.
It is native to Central and Southern America and has spread throughout tropical and subtropical parts of Asia and Africa.
Devil's fig mostly grows in tropical and subtropical climates. It can tolerate a wide range of conditions but prefers moist fertile soils. In drought conditions it sheds its leaves to survive.
It has been found:
Birds, flying foxes and other animals eat devil's fig fruit and spread the seed in their droppings. Seeds are also spread by water and contaminated soil.
Plants have been spread by people intentionally planting it in gardens for the small fruit or as root stock. It is used as root stock for egg plants (Solanum melongena) and if the plants are not maintained the rootstock will fruit.
Bean, A.R. (2012 onwards). Solanum species of eastern and northern Australia. Version: 6th September 2018. Retrieved 07 September 2021 from https://www.delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/torvum.htm
CABI (2019). Data sheet: Solanum torvum Turkey berry. In: Invasive Species Compendium. Wallingford, UK: CAB International. Retrieved 07 September 2021 from:https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/50559
Cuda, J. P., Gandolfo, D., Medal, J. C., Charudattan, R., & Mullahey, J. J. (2002). Tropical soda apple, wetland nightshade, and turkey berry. In F. Van Driesche, B. Blossey, M. Hoodle, S. Lyon, R. Reardon (Eds). Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States. United States Department of Agriculture Forest Service. Forest Health Technology Enterprise Team. Morgantown, West Virginia. FHTET.pp 293-309.
Identic Pty Ltd. and Lucid central (2016). Environmental Weeds of Australia Fact sheet: Solanum torvum Sw. Retrieved 7 September 2021 from: https://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/weeds/data/media/Html/solanum_torvum.htm
McKenzie, R. (2012). Australia's poisonous plants, fungi and cyanobacteria: a guide to species of medical and veterinary importance. CSIRO.
Ranil, R. H. G., Niran, H. M. L., Plazas, M., Fonseka, R. M., Fonseka, H. H., Vilanova, S., ... & Prohens, J. (2015). Improving seed germination of the eggplant rootstock Solanum torvum by testing multiple factors using an orthogonal array design. Scientia Horticulturae, 193, 174-181.
Richardson, F. J., Richardson, R. G., & Shepherd, R. C. H. (2011). Weeds of the south-east: an identification guide for Australia (No. Ed. 3). CSIRO.
Successful weed control relies on follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.
Protective clothing should be worn to prevent injuries from the prickles on the stem of the plant.
Ensure roots and cut parts of the plant are not left on the ground as they may re-shoot. If the plant has fruit, collect and dispose of them to reduce the amount of follow up weed control required.
Seedlings and small plants can be dug out with a mattock. Larger plants can be cut down and the roots dug up.
Spray actively growing plants with herbicide and a wetter. Cover all of the foliage and stems with herbicide. Spraying will not kill the seeds in the fruit so it is important to collect the fruit and dispose of it.
Cut the stump and then quickly apply the herbicide gel. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply a 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm. Collect the fruit and dispose of it safely.
Fruit may be burnt in a hot fire. Check the burn site regularly for seedlings. Contact your local council for advice on other ways to dispose of the fruit.
See Using herbicides for more information.
PERMIT 12942 Expires 30/08/2025
Glyphosate 360 g/L
with Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Only products registered for aquatic use)
Rate: 2 L Roundup plus 10 g of Brushoff in 100 L of water
Comments: A wetter must be used at a rate of 500 mL per 100 L.
Apply a maximum of 2 times per year at a minimal interval of 60 days.
Ensure spray covers all foliage and stems as incomplete application will result in regrowth.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: M, Inhibitors of EPSP synthase
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 12942 Expires 30/08/2025
Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L
(Grazon Extra®)
Rate: 350 to 500 mL per 100 L of water + wetter
Comments: A wetter must be used at a rate of 500 mL per 100 L.
Apply a maximum of 2 times per year at a minimal interval of 60 days.
DO NOT use products containing picloram and triclopyr within 5 m of a waterway.
Ensure spray covers all foliage and stems as incomplete application will result in regrowth.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
PERMIT 12942 Expires 30/08/2025
Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L
with Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 350 to 500 mL of Grazon plus 10g of Brushoff in 100 L of water
Comments: A wetter must be used at a rate of 500 mL per 100 L.
Apply a maximum of 2 times per year at a minimal interval of 60 days.
DO NOT use products containing picloram and triclopyr within 5 m of a waterway.
Ensure spray covers all foliage and stems as incomplete application will result in regrowth.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L
(Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application. Apply a 3-5 mm layer of gel for stems less than 20 mm. Apply a 5 mm layer on stems above 20 mm.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: I, Disruptors of plant cell growth (synthetic auxins)
Resistance risk: Moderate
The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.
Area | Duty |
---|---|
All of NSW | General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable. |
North Coast
Exclusion (eradication) zone: Bellingen Shire LGA, Clarence Valley LGA, Lord Howe Island, Port Macquarie-Hastings LGA. Core infestation (containment) zone: Ballina Shire LGA, Byron Shire LGA, Coffs Harbour City LGA, Kempsey Shire LGA, Kyogle Shire LGA, Lismore City LGA, Nambucca Valley LGA, Richmond Valley LGA, Tweed Shire LGA. |
Regional Recommended Measure* (for Regional Priority - Containment)
Whole of region: Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Exclusion zone: Notify local control authority if found. Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. Core infestation: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value. |
*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here |
Reviewed 2023