What is this plant?

Kimma · Nov 21, 2013

There is one in my neighbour's yard, and I saw a king parrot nibbling on the fruit. So I wondered what it was, and if it was safe for parrots, or if that king parrot had no idea what he was doing.

I don't know if it's a native, but I'm in subtropical queensland, if that helps narrow it down.

Betrisher · Nov 21, 2013

When I first saw the leaves, my first response was 'That's Thorn Apple!' (which is deadly). Then, when I looked at the fruits, they reminded me of figs. Any chance of a pic of the flowers? That would help a lot in identifying the plant. Also, mature fruits if there's any?

Generally, if the wild birds eat something, it's probably OK, but be on the lookout for any sick or deceased King Parrots in your area for a while. I wouldn't be offering this to my birds till I knew exactly what it is. Do you have a Department of Ag. or Forestry nearby? They're usually pretty good with plant IDs.

PS. It's not paddy melon, is it? I *hate* not knowing!

PPS. I'm supposed to know: I studied botany, but it's been a while...

Kimma · Nov 21, 2013

Definitely not paddy melon. It's a tree - several metres tall.

It actually made me think of papaya. It's not, but I thought maybe related.

I went out to get a sample by reaching over the fence and flailing around in the dark, And this is what I got.

Same fruit, but completely different leaves. The leaves are all fuzzy and are making me itchy

There are no flowers on them atm.

And here is a photo I took of the king parrot, caught in the act.

All the parrots that come around here look lovely and healthy.

Betrisher · Nov 21, 2013

Ahah! Gotitgotitgotit! I think it's Solanum mauritianum - the wild Tobacco Tree.

It's an introduced pest seen mostly in moist areas and spread about by birds and flying foxes. As a matter of fact, there's one in my backyard, which I really should cut out, but it attracts Wattlebirds and Figbirds so...

Thing is, the genus Solanum is notoriously poisonous (Deadly Nightshade) in some species and not (Potato, Tomato, Eggplant, Bell Pepper) in others. I've seen many native birds eating the fruit of this tree, but I would never give it to my pet birds because I'm not sure about the wood and leaves. Here's a couple of sites to check it out and see if the pics seem familiar to you:

wild tobacco tree | Weed Identification ? Brisbane City Council

Solanum mauritianum - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Hope this helps?

Jewelz · Nov 21, 2013

I wish I ived in Australia

torrap · Nov 21, 2013

OMG....what a beautiful parrot!!!!!
It's snowing and freezing here in Denver Colorado............

...

Kimma · Nov 21, 2013

Thanks Betrisher. You're awesome!

Kimma · Nov 21, 2013

torrap said:
OMG....what a beautiful parrot!!!!!
It's snowing and freezing here in Denver Colorado...............

We had hail here the other day if it makes you feel any better

Kimma · Nov 21, 2013

Also, I had another look once the sun came up and it seems to be 2 different plants close to each other, which have almost identical fruits. The one with spearhead shaped leaves definitely looks like the wild tobacco, but the one with serrated leaves might be Devil's Fig which is another Solanum plant.

The weird thing is - where the bird is in the photo is where the tobacco plant is when I looked, but you can definitely see the serrated leaves in the photo. But that plant is a good few metres away now... I am so confused.

But yeah, I will be leaving these plants to the wild birds.

Mike17 · Nov 21, 2013

You beat me to it last night, Trish, and my post then has disappeared, but yes, it looks like Wild Tobacco, common around Port Macquarie where I used to spend a lot of time. Recognised it as Solanaceae from the little fruits and the leaves, but the first pic had me confused as the fruits larger and more fig-like. Plus different leaves, too. It's pretty much a noxious weed, but the birds obviously like it.

What is this plant?

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