Kangaroo Apple Flower
Solanum laciniatum Forst.f. (and S. aviculare)
Kangaroo apple produces striking purple-blue star-shaped flowers with bright yellow anthers, followed by orange-red egg-shaped fruits. Native to Australia and New Zealand, these bold blooms symbolize adaptation, pioneering spirit, and the resilience of disturbed landscapes.
Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
Spring to fall (August-October in Southern Hemisphere; continuous in warm climates)
Symbolism & Meanings
Key Meanings
Perfect For
Color Meanings
Similar flowers: anacycluss and monsteras also share similar meanings.
Cultural Significance
Kangaroo apple represents the resilient pioneer species that colonize disturbed lands after fires or clearing. The common name refers to the kangaroo paw-print shape of the deeply lobed juvenile leaves. Indigenous peoples valued the plant for food (ripe fruit) and medicine. During the 1960s-70s, it gained commercial importance when Soviet and European researchers discovered its leaves contained valuable steroid compounds for contraceptive production. The plant exemplifies nature's ability to heal damaged landscapes.Shop Our Floral Collection
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Physical Characteristics
Natural Habitat
Growing Guide
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade for best flowering and fruit production
Water
Moderate; tolerates various moisture levels from moist to moderately dry
Soil
Well-drained, Sandy, Loamy, Clay, Average to poor, Slightly acidic to neutral (pH 6.0-7.5)
Expert Growing Tips
Hardy in zone 9, grow as annual or container plant elsewhere
Fast-growing but short-lived (5-6 years)
Easy to propagate from seeds or semi-hardwood cuttings
Produces two types of foliage: deeply lobed juvenile and entire adult leaves
Requires no pre-treatment for seed germination
Prune early to prevent splitting at base
Caution: Unripe fruit and leaves contain toxic alkaloid solasodine
Only eat fruit when fully orange and ripe
Uses & Benefits
Ornamental Uses
- Quick-growing screen plant
- Architectural foliage display
- Container gardening in cold climates
- Wildlife and bird gardens
- Erosion control and bank stabilization
- Temperate greenhouse specimens
Traditional Uses
- Young foliage contains steroids used to manufacture contraceptives
- Cultivated commercially for pharmaceutical steroid extraction
- Studied extensively in USSR, New Zealand, India, and Egypt
- Leaves and unripe fruit contain solasodine
- Used in traditional Maori medicine
- CRITICAL: Only ripe orange fruit is edible; green fruit is toxic
Disclaimer: Information provided is for educational purposes only. Consult healthcare professionals before using any plant medicinally.
Further Reading
Frequently Asked Questions about the Kangaroo Apple Flower
are kangaroo apple fruits edible
Yes, but only when fully ripe and orange. Unripe green fruits are toxic and can cause serious illness. The ripe fruit tastes sweet but should split naturally before eating.
is kangaroo apple invasive
Kangaroo apple can be invasive in some regions outside its native range, particularly in parts of California and tropical areas where it self-seeds freely.
how do you tell kangaroo apple from other solanum species
Kangaroo apple has deeply lobed juvenile leaves and lance-shaped adult leaves, purple-blue five-petaled flowers, and orange-red egg-shaped fruits about 10-15mm wide.
why do kangaroo apple leaves change shape
Kangaroo apple exhibits heterophylly - producing two distinct leaf types. Juvenile plants have deeply lobed leaves while mature plants produce narrow, entire leaves.
how long do kangaroo apple plants live
Kangaroo apple shrubs are relatively short-lived, typically surviving 5-6 years in good conditions. They're fast-growing pioneer species designed for quick colonization.
Available Colors
Quick Facts
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