Quena

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©Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Maree Goods via natureshare.org.au, Photo: (CC BY 2.5 AU) Chris Lindorff via natureshare.org.au

Solanum esuriale

Grey-green densely hairy plant to 30 cm. Oblong leaves to 8 cm long with a pointed tip, lower leaves are larger and shallowly lobed. Purple potato-like flowers with five joined petals and a yellow centre in clusters of 2-6 on long stems.

Details
Flora Type
Herbs
Distinctive Features

Hairs are distinctinctly star-shaped (stellate) when viewed with a hand lens or magnifying glass. Plant generally does not have any spines. Pale yellow to yellowish-brown berries which resemble raisins when dry.
Biology

Perennial. Common after disturbance such as fire.
Native Status
Native
Taxonomy
Phylum
Tracheophyta (Vascular Plants)
Class
Magnoliopsida (Flowering Plants)
Order
Solanales
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Solanum
Species
esuriale

Source: Atlas of Living Australia

Many Solanum species are known as Wild Tomatoes or Wild Potatoes to the Aboriginal people. Some of these are edible but many produce a poisonous bitter fruit. Perhaps more widely used in central Aust. The fruit must be very ripe before eating.

Interesting Facts
Native Status
Native