High Priority Weed Tropical Soda Apple found on Waterfall Way Dorrigo

Published on 16 August 2022

A single, mature Tropical soda apple (TSA) plant (Solanum viarum) was found during vegetation maintenance operations on Waterfall Way, Dorrigo Mountain. The plant was identified and removed for safe disposal.

In NSW cattle movements are currently the major vector of spread.

It is illegal to knowingly transport the seeds of this plant inside an animal, or to knowingly buy or sell an animal that contains seeds. The movement of seed in cattle is traceable, and knowingly moving seeds in animals, or buying or selling animals containing seeds can result in prosecution and fines.

To mitigate the very high risk of introducing this plant, any new cattle coming onto any property must be held for 6 days, in an area that can be closely inspected for seedlings. TSA seeds become ready to sprout when they are eaten by cattle and passed within 6 days. After 6 days, any seeds that are passed won't sprout. Studies of seed viability after being consumed by horses have not yet been done, and any new horses coming onto a property should also be held for 6 days in an area that can be checked for seedlings.

Rotational paddocks, holding paddocks, quarantine paddocks or electric-fenced areas are all suitable, and must be checked regularly for the presence of seedlings. Plants can produce fruit within 2 months of germinating. 

Council’s Invasive Plants team will be conducting additional inspections of High Risk Pathways, High Risk Sites and known sites in response to this finding.

Please check your paddocks and help prevent this plant from taking hold in our shire.

weeds.dpi.nsw.gov.au/Weeds/TropicalSodaApple for identification and control information

Report TSA findings: Bellingen Shire Council Invasive Plants Officer – 6655 7300 – email: council@bellingen.nsw.gov.au