Devil's Apple

4/26/2017

Devil’s apple is a poisonous weed from Africa.

Called Devil’s apple because of its toxic yellow fruit, Solanum linnaeanum made an appearance under my almond tree. When I went to pull it out, I discovered its substantial thorns.

Devil's apple (Kate Russell)

Considered an invasive in Australia, Devil’s apple has been getting a lot of press lately. Dramatic statements declare that Solanum linnaeanum can cure skin cancer. And I could not find a single piece of scientific evidence to back up those claims. Hmmm. Yet another snake oil salesman… Why do we tolerate all those untruths?

The truth about Devil’s apple is interesting enough on its own, so let’s learn what we can.

Devil’s apple is a member of the nightshade family, along with potatoes, tomatoes, and eggplants. These shrubs can reach 6 feet in height, and those spines can be 1/2 an inch long. I sure wouldn’t want to fall into one of those bushes!

Also known as apple of Sodom, Afghan thistle, and Dead Sea apple, this weed invades pastures, agricultural fields, roadsides, and now, my yard.

The yellow berries start out as a star-shaped, 5-petaled purple flower, the way most nightshades do, but then they start looking more like a small apple, hence the name. The fruit changes from white or green to bright yellow and it contains toxic alkaloids. DO NOT EAT THEM!!!

Devil’s apple is also host to the Malaysian Fruit Fly, which earns it a listing in the California Code of Regulations, as part of the state’s emergency eradication program. Other than that reference, I have not been able to find any mention of the plant in California, so I have submitted an information request to local Master Gardeners and UC Davis to see if this is a new weed in the Bay Area. I’ll keep you posted.

For the time being, if you see one of these in your garden or landscape, dig it out.

10 Comments

Shawna Gannon Walker

10/11/2018 06:48:41 pm

Hi,
I'm curious to know if you learned anything more about this plant in California. I'm interested in it, because I've learned that people are using it in DIY cancer treatments.
Thank you,
Shawna G W

Kate Russell

10/12/2018 08:45:17 am

Hi, Shawna.

I found a very informative study on the use of Devil's Apple extracts as a cancer treatment at http://file.scirp.org/Html/20-8901214_16648.htm

Keep in mind that these extracts are not DIY, homemade recipes. These are chemicals extracted in a laboratory and processed in very specific ways. I would definitely not try this at home.

Kuldeep

1/14/2019 06:05:25 am

Can we graft a tomato plant on this plant (devil's apple)?

Kate Russell link

1/16/2019 02:20:31 pm

Yes, you can graft a tomato plant to Devil's Apple rootstock. The question you need to ask yourself is why you would want to do this. Devil's Apple is invasive and difficult to control once established.

There are rumors going around that Devil's Apple is resistant to nematodes and tobamoviruses (TMV, ToMV and PMMV), but this is not true.

You can read the research report here: https://rd.springer.com/article/10.1007%2FBF03356178?fbclid=IwAR1eCKGKpSGvJOugOLDbeuSCv4aUliQmc-QqWWIi1ZtEDsOzj-6sDl4KXnc

That being said, thank you for inspiring me to write about grafting!

Phil

8/2/2019 03:56:53 am

I personally know the people who worked on refining this and then a cancer trial which was successful in killing cancer.

It failed to progress to further evolution because apparently the research company tgat took on the next step could not patent it and therefore they could not make money from it.

The cure is close but no one is interested in furthering researching this because they can't make money from it.

8/2/2019 07:22:15 am

Hello, Phil.

I understand your frustration, having lost my mother to cancer.

Luckily, there are wealthy individuals and organizations who do take on these challenges. Perhaps you could reach out to some of them and share what you know about the potential for Devil's Apple to provide a cure.

Dorothy

1/6/2020 05:52:46 am

hi i wanted to know how to became a zombie
have a nice day<3

1/7/2020 06:47:23 am

I never knew zombies gardened!

Gwb Lloyd

6/9/2021 02:32:25 pm

Australian cattle cure themselves of skin cancer by rubbing their faces on the Devil's apple plant. Raw Aubergine and Cider vinegar have combined to eradicate my skin cancer every time I have suffered a new outbreak for years now. Perhaps there could be simple topical cures for skin cancer in other nightshades?

Amy tranznisky hern

7/9/2021 08:50:00 pm

i want to know how to plant a seed.
i will have a sunflower at my birthday.
but i don't know how to plant it.
can you help me?

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Devil's Apple

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