Tropical Soda Apple Solanum viarum
TSA History
Solanum viarum Dunal, tropical soda apple (TSA), is an aggressive perennial weed native to Brazil and Argentina. Over the past decade it has been discovered throughout Florida, and recent infestations are present in Georgia, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, Texas, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina and Pennsylvania. This noxious weed has already caused great economic losses in Florida where it has spread to over 750,000 acres.
TSA has more than 400 seeds per fruit and 125 berries per plant with germination exceeding 75 percent, and cattle are excellent vectors for spreading the seed. TSA is present in hammocks where cattle retreat to rest, and also occurs in ditch banks, citrus groves, sugar cane fields, watermelon fields and along roadsides. Wildlife, such as raccoons, deer and feral pigs, apparently also spread the seed.
Tropical soda apple was declared a noxious weed in Florida on 28 February 1994, and was added to the Federal Noxious Weed List effective 11 August 1995.
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