Bugweed (Solanum mauritianum)
Bugweed is a shrub or small tree up to 4 metres. The large, dull green leaves are covered in velvety hairs emit a strong smell when crushed.
Purple flowers appear all year round and are carried in compact, terminal clusters on densely felty stalks.
The round fruit which start off green (and are highly poisonous at this stage) ripen to yellow.
The hairy leaves and stems are a respiratory tract and skin irritant.
