Tropical soda apple

• It is an upright, multi-branched perennial shrub and is 0.5–2m tall.
• Stems have thorn-like prickles up to 12mm long.
• Leaves are 10–20cm long and 6–15cm wide. They are covered with short hairs and white prickles.
• Flowers are white with 5 recurved petals and white to cream-coloured stamens.
• Immature fruits are smooth and round. They are mottled light and dark green like a watermelon.
• Mature fruits are yellow and 1–3cm in diameter. The leathery skin surrounds a pale-green, scented pulp, each containing 180–240 seeds.
• Seeds are pale brown, tear-shaped and 3mm across.

3D model

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• Prefers open, disturbed sites, especially pastures and areas around cattle yards.
• Prefers coastal, high-rainfall habitats in tropical and subtropical areas.

• First detected in Queensland in November 2010 near Coominya in South East Queensland.
• Currently a small number of isolated infestations in Queensland.

• Reproduces from seeds.
• Flowers in autumn–winter.
• Fruit sets in winter.

Economic

• Invades and replaces pasture, including improved pasture.
• Leaves are unpalatable to livestock (although fruit are readily eaten).
• Provides an alternative host for at least 6 viruses that affect various vegetables.

• Seeds are spread primarily by cattle but also by birds, feral pigs, deer, contaminated hay, and water.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

• Before undertaking any preventative or control actions, contact us online, by phone or in person.

• Tropical soda apple is a prohibited invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not:
  • keep it
  • move it
  • give it away
  • sell it
  • release it into the environment.

  If you do any of these, penalties may apply.

• You must not take any action that is reasonably likely to exacerbate the biosecurity threat posed by tropical soda apple.
• You must take any action that is reasonably likely to minimise the biosecurity threat posed by tropical soda apple.
• You must report any sightings immediately using 1 of these methods:
  • Report online.
  • Phone Biosecurity Queensland on 13 25 23.
  • Phone the Exotic Plant Pest Hotline on 1800 084 881.