Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P. -M.L.Jaeger
A much branched perennial shrub from 40 to 150 cm tall. Stems and stalks covered in long yellow spines. Leaves to 10 cm long, deeply pinnately lobed, with long yellow spines along the midvein and lateral veins. Flowers single or in clusters. Corolla 2 to 3 cm across, violet, with 5 lobes. Stamens yellow, up to 6 mm long, projecting forward, tightly clustered around the stigma. The fruit is a berry up to 3 cm diameter, at first green with pale markings, then yellow, on down-curved stalks.
Local: Not common in Gibraltar. Found mainly on Windmill Hill Flats and also along the East Side.
Global: An African native; introduced and naturalised. Found in the western Mediterranean region and north Africa.
Flowers virtually all year round but mainly between April, May, June, July, August, September, October and November.
Grows on disturbed and waste ground.
Very poisonous.