Tobacco Weed
Ear-leaved Nightshade
Solanum mauritianum
Observed as an abundant roadside weed in Kakamega Forest Preserve, Kenya, Africa. 12 October 2010.
A mirid plant bug on the lower leaf surface where dense matting of branched hairs cover the surface. Kitale, Kenya, Africa. April 2013.
Nightshades as a group are easily recognized by the morphology of the flowers.
Five petals arrayed in a five-pointed star; five large, erect, stamens; fruit a
spherical berry that often turns yellow on ripening. This invasive species was
found growing at the side of a road that passes into Kakamega Forest Resert.
Leaves are large and woolly. Sometimes reaches small tree size.
Roadways seem a necessary part of eco-tourist destinations like Kakamega Forest. But the roads represent a significant hazard to the integrity of the habitat. Animals are killed by vehicles and exotic, invasive species use them as avenues that could well push out native plants within the preserve leaving the park as another weed patch.
Solanaceae -- Nightshade Family
More Information:
I have observed many times the ripe fruits being eated by birds, especially Common Bulbul and Speckled Mousebirds. The seeds survive passage through the birds' digestion and are thus widely dispersed.
