Solanum mauritianum

What is Woolly Nightshade?

A common weed pest in the upper half of the North Island, woolly nightshade (aka tobacco weed, kerosene plant) is a prohibited plant under the NZ National Pest Plant Accord (NPPA). Woolly nightshade earned special pest status because it's very hardy and fast-growing, which allows it to form dense stands that aggressively crowd out native or desirable plants. It can grow into a multi-stemmed small tree, up to 4m tall.

The large, grey-green fuzzy felt-like leaves of this unpleasant plant are quite distinctive. The fine hairs covering its leaves and stems can irritate skin and cause breathing problems, so always wear gloves and a mask when tackling woolly nightshade. Woolly nightshade produces allelopathic compounds that leach into soil and prevent other plants from getting started. 

Purple and white flowers form into bunches of green berries, that turn yellow when mature. Each plant produces numerous berries during warmer weather, which enables seeds to be widely dispersed by birds. The berries are poisonous to humans and livestock. 

How to Protect Your Garden

For home gardens or smaller areas, spray the foliage of larger plants with Yates Zero Tough Weedkiller. Alternatively, pull out small plants by hand, or dig out the entire root system of larger plants.

For larger areas, spray the weed foliage with a mix of Yates Hydrocotyle Killer and Yates Zero Pulse Penetrant.

Seeds remain viable for some time and will rapidly re-colonise cleared areas, so go back after a couple of months and spray any seedlings that have germinated.

Areas Affected by Woolly Nightshade

  • Urban areas
  • Roadsides
  • Riparian plantings
  • Scrubland
  • Bush edges

Recommended products

Yates Zero Pulse Penetrant

Improves the penetration, spread and adhesion of Yates Zero Weedkillers on difficult to kill weeds with waxy or hard to wet surfaces.

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