T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network


Poroporo (Solanum laciniatum)

Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. laciniatum
Binomial name: Solanum laciniatum
Common name: Poroporo

The berries of this plant is poisonous.

Solanum aviculare, commonly called Poroporo (New Zealand) or Kangaroo Apple (Australia), is a soft-wooded shrub native to New Zealand and the east coast of Australia. It can grow up to 4 meters. The leaves are, 8-30 cm long, lobed or entire, with any lobes being 1-10 cm long.
Its hermaphroditic (having both male and female organs) flowers are white, mauve to blue-violet, 25-40 mm wide, and are followed by poisonous berries 10-15 mm wide, green first then orange-red to scarlet. This plant is in the same family as tomato- Solanaceae. 

Young Solanum laciniatum plant


A juvenile plant


The Poroporo flower with native bee


The green berries of the Poroporo just turning yellow


Ripe fruit