Solanum pseudocapsicum L.

Jerusalem Cherry

**

Perennial

Vascular

Jerusalem Cherry is an introduced perennial semi-woody shrub in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is native to Mexico, Central America, the Caribbean, and South America. In Alabama it is sometimes cultivated as an ornamental, and has escaped in the central and southern portions of the state. It occurs in floodplain forests, in riparian zones, along forest edges, and on roadsides. Jerusalem Cherry is an erect evergreen perennial to 5 feet in height. Young stems are green in color and slightly pubescent, while older stems are light brown in color. There are usually several branched stems from each root stock. Leaves are petiolate, narrowly lanceolate or oblong to oblanceolate in outline, glabrous or slightly pubescent, with entire undulate margins. Flowers are produced in axillary racemes of 1-5 flowers. Each flower has 5 green sepals and 5 reflexed white or pale lavender petals. The fruit is a bright orange or red berry. Plants may drop their leaves or be killed back to ground level in winter. All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the unripe fruits.—A. Diamond

**

Not Native

**