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A small shrub native to Brazil with long spines and irritating sap. For some reason it is referred to as the Purple Devil. It will withstand
a short frost but the British climate has defeated it so far. Fortunately it can be grown as an annual with just a bit of heat in the spring to get it going.
I grew it in 2014 from a seedling that was given to me. Plants of the World online says: "The native range of this species is S. Tropical America. It is a shrub and grows primarily in the seasonally dry tropical biome. It is used for food." Desert to Jungle say: "Solanum atropurpureum is a quirky, half hardy shrub with spiney leaves and stems. It produces tomatoe-like yellow flowers and tomato-like fruit that starts light green with dark green veins and ripens to orange. It grows to 1.5m high." Tom King says on his blog: "Depending on conditions, Malevolence ranges from three to six feet tall and two or three feet wide. It can get lean and leggy, so consider tall, leafy companions to hide the bare ankles. Like all Solanums, Malevolence blooms and fruits, but in a manner so discreet that the thorns are always the plant’s primary feature. The flowers are small and yellow, much like a tomato, and they produce currant-sized, golden-yellow fruits–certainly no detraction to my color scheme. It is best to assume, however, that all parts of Malevolence are poisonous, much like belladonna. And you definitely don’t want to handle Malevolence without sturdy gloves, but don’t let the thorns deter you from growing this tough, remarkable plant. Is there beauty without suffering?" |
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| 6th September 2014 | ||
