Weedy vines are very hard to control once they have taken hold in an area. They are fast growing and make their way into the canopy and then smother the tree they are climbing. Brazilian nightshade is an attractive plant and so could be encouraged in a garden. This would be a mistake as it is spread by birds eating the seeds and passing the seeds out with their droppings in the bush.
Common names: Brazilian nightshade/Climbing nightshade
Scientific name: Solanum seafortianum
Native to: Tropical America
Family: Solanaceae
Habit: Vine, climbing and usually stays low to spread over the supporting vegetation.
Leaves: Alternate with deeply lobed margins
Flowers: Star shaped, mauve, 5 petalled
Dispersal method: Berries that become red when mature
Control measures: As with all weeds early intervention is the best defence. Small plants are easily pulled out by hand. Scraping and painting the vine with herbicide is a recommended treatment, however this will need follow up. One positive to controlling Siratro is that it only reproduces from seed. Cutting the vine at ground level will kill the plant above that level. If the plant is not left to form berries, it cannot spread.
For more information:
Weeds of the Sunshine coast page 235 1st edition
Brazilian nightshade (brisbane.qld.gov.au)
