Is it safe to eat the berries raw?

No, they contain alkaloids that require cooking to neutralize.

Does it need full sun?

Yes, it produces the most fruit when grown in full sun.

Plant guide

Turkey berry.

Solanum torvum

Pronounced so-LAY-num TOR-vum

Also known as Devil's-fig, Foulberry Tree, Turkey berry, Turkeyberry, Wild egg plant, devil's fig, pea eggplant, platebrush

This vigorous shrub is often grown for its edible fruits which are popular in many tropical cuisines. It is a hardy plant that thrives in warm climates and can grow quite large. You will find it is a very resilient grower in the right environment.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Shrub
Light: Full sun
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 meters
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 9 to 12
Bloom time: Year round in tropical climates

Care

Keep this plant in a sunny spot and ensure the soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Watch for yellowing leaves which can indicate overwatering or poor drainage. Prune regularly to keep the shrub from becoming too woody or unruly.

Watering: Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back long branches to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Move to a larger container once the roots fill the current pot.
Soil: Well draining loamy soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 10 to 35°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Short lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes
Stunted growth despite regular feeding

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain solanine and other alkaloids that can be toxic if ingested raw.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to pets if ingested due to solanine content.
Children: Keep children away from the plant due to the sharp thorns and toxic berries.
Contact allergens: The stems and leaves are covered in small, sharp prickles that can cause skin irritation.
Airborne allergens: The pollen may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals.
Edibility: The fruit must be cooked thoroughly before consumption to reduce solanine levels.

How to identify it

Large lobed leaves with hairy undersides
Small white star shaped flowers
Clusters of small green spherical berries
Stems covered in sharp prickles

Height: 2 to 3m
Spread: 1.5 to 2.5m
Leaves: green, evergreen
Flowers: white, 2 to 3cm
Fruit: green, yellow, Year round

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
WhiteflyCommon
ChlorosisUncommon
Fusarium WiltUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Spider MitesUncommon
Verticillium WiltUncommon

Bacterial Wilt — A soil borne pathogen that causes sudden wilting and death.

By symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, cuttings
When to plant: spring, summer
Overwintering: In cooler climates, move the plant indoors to a bright, warm location before the first frost. Keep the soil slightly dry during the winter months.
In containers: It can be grown in a large container of at least 20 liters, though it prefers the ground.

Seed

1. Harvest ripe yellow berries.
2. Extract seeds and dry them.
3. Sow in moist potting mix.
4. Keep warm until germination.

Plant in a sunny spot with well draining soil to ensure vigorous growth.

Grows well with

Basil — Basil grows well in similar conditions and benefits from the partial shade provided by the shrub.

Similar species

Eggplant — They are closely related and share similar growth habits and requirements.

Science

Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Order: Solanales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Tropical Americas and the Caribbean
Conservation: It is considered an invasive weed in many tropical regions outside its native range.

It acts as a pioneer species, quickly colonizing disturbed areas and forest edges.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, larval host plant
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: culinary, medicinal, grafting rootstock

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 8/9
Temperature: 9/9
Moisture: 6/9
Nutrients: 7/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe to eat the berries raw?: No, they contain alkaloids that require cooking to neutralize.
Does it need full sun?: Yes, it produces the most fruit when grown in full sun.

Where the name comes from

The genus name Solanum comes from the Latin word for quiet or soothing, while torvum refers to the plant's somewhat savage or prickly appearance.

Good to know

The berries are a staple ingredient in many Southeast Asian curries.
It is a fast growing shrub that can reach full size in just one year.
The plant is highly resilient and can thrive in disturbed soils.

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This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.