Family: Solanaceae

Origin, Description & Uses
Solanum asperolanatum, commonly known as devil’s fig, is a spiny shrub or small tree native to a broad region extending from Mexico and Guatemala through parts of western South America. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes many familiar crops and ornamental plants. Devil’s fig produces large leaves, sharp prickles along its stems and foliage, and attractive flowers followed by fleshy berries. In its native range, it has been used locally as an ornamental plant, for hedges or barriers due to its dense thorny growth, and in some traditional medicinal applications.

Risks & Threats
Although Solanum asperolanatum is not currently known to be naturalized in the Hawaiian Islands, it possesses several traits that are cause for concern. Like many invasive members of the Solanum genus, it produces abundant fruit that can be dispersed by birds and other animals, enabling rapid spread into natural areas. Its thorny growth habit can form dense, difficult-to-manage thickets that may outcompete native vegetation, alter habitat structure, and hinder access for wildlife and land managers. Because these characteristics could detrimentally impact tropical island ecosystems if the species were to escape cultivation, a precautionary approach is warranted. When selecting plants for landscaping, restoration, or agricultural purposes, choosing a low-risk or native alternative is recommended whenever suitable options are available.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized in Australia, India, and the Azores (but no evidence in the Hawaiian Islands to date)
  
• Regarded as weedy, although impacts are unknown at this time
  
• Several Solanum species are invasive weeds
  
• Stems sometimes covered in prickles
  
• Reproduces by seeds
  
• Self-compatible
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, bats & intentionally by people
  
• Gaps in biological and ecological information may reduce accuracy of risk prediction

Low Risk Traits:

• May require full sun or high light environments to grow
  
• Herbicides may provide effective control