What does it look like?
Leaves are green on top and furry underneath, wavy and deeply lobed, and up to 9cm long by 7cm wide. Both leaves and branches are covered in spikes. Flowers are mauve with a yellow centre. The fruit are green and white mottled globular tomato-like berries (2.5cm in diameter), which ripen to yellow.
Why is it a problem?
Apple of sodom forms dense thickets in coastal areas, excluding low growing native species. It can also dominate pasture, reducing stock holding capacity. Each berry contains hundreds of seeds so it can spread quickly if left to go to berry. It is poisonous to stock and humans.
Control methods
Contact us for advice on control at biosecurity@hbrc.govt.nz or phone 06 835 9200.
More information
Apple of Sodom is a Progressive Containment pest under the Hawkes Bay Regional Council Regional Pest Management Plan 2018 – 2038.
Under Plan Rule 5, a land occupier is required to destroy all Apple of Sodom on their land. A breach of this rule is an offence under Section 154N(19) of the Biosecurity Act 1993.
Currently Apple of Sodom is only known to exist in the Eskdale/Bay View area in Hawke’s Bay.
If you think you have discovered Apple of Sodom, contact us on biosecurity@hbrc.govt.nz or phone 06 835 9200.
Related links
Notify Council
If you think you've found this pest, please get in touch with our Biosecurity Team at biosecurity@hbrc.govt.nz or call us on 0800 108 838.
Management Programme
Progressive Containment Programme
To contain or reduce the geographic distribution of the subject, or an organism being spread by the subject, to an area over time.
Rules
Plan rule 5 - Apple of sodom
Except where an occupier of land has entered into a Written Management Agreement approved by Hawke’s Bay Regional Council, an occupier of land shall destroy all [NAME] plants on their land.
