Plants and Mushrooms

Jerusalem cherry

Common name		Jerusalem cherry
Botanical name		Solanum pseudocapsicum
Other common names		Madeira winter cherry; winter cherry
Family		Solanaceae
General description		A small shrub to 1m tall, often cultivated as an ornamental, especially as a pot plant.
Flowers		The flowers are white, 2 to 3mm across, star-shaped and most often solitary or sometimes with a few grouped together.
Leaves		The leaves are alternate, elliptic, with an undulate margin, and are 1.5 to 10cm long and 0.5 to 2.5cm wide, with prominent veins on the underside.
Fruit/Berries		The fruit are a soft, globular berry, 1.5cm in diameter, bright orange-red in colour with numerous small seeds inside.
Other		-
Symptoms		All parts of the plant are poisonous, especially the unripe fruits. If plant or fruit is eaten, early symptoms can include fever, sweating, vomiting, stomach pain, headache and increased heart rate. Symptoms are delayed for several hours and can persist for days. Death has been reported. Allergic skin reactions may occur in sensitive individuals.
Toxicity category		2
Warning		Seek medical attention if symptoms occur.