BUGWEED




 * __Common Name__**: BUGWEED, WILD TOBACCO, UMBANGA BANGA


 * __Botanical Name:__** SOLANUM MAURITIANUM

Bugweed is a spindly tree, growing up to 8 m tall. It is a hairy plant with oval leaves, a little like tobacco leaves in appearance. They have a strong smell when bruised. It produces small purple flowers at the end of the stalks. Flowers are produced all year. Round yellow fruits, each containing about 100-250 seeds, are produced. Birds love these seeds.
 * __Description:__**



Bugweed was introduced to South Africa from tropical South America, especially Brazil
 * __Country of Origin:__**

Bugweed was probably introduced to South Africa as an ornamental shrub, because of its attractive purple flowers. However, it soon became an invasive weed, as its seeds are easily distributed by birds. It grows well in disturbed soil, and is often found on the edge of farmlands, near plantations and on degraded grasslands.
 * __History of the plant in South Africa:__**

This is a Category 1 Invasive Plant, which means it must be destroyed wherever it is found.
 * __Category of Alien plant:__**

It is found throughout the mid and higher ground of South Africa.
 * __Distribution in South Africa:__**

It grows in any environment where there is a cooler winter and wet summer. it grows well next to forest land.
 * __Habitat:__**

many indigenous forests are being destroyed by bugweed which grows up to the edges of the forest and then takes over from the trees on the edges.
 * __Problems/Dangers to the local habitat:__**

Cutting down of bugweed by DWAF Working for Water Introduction of Lace Bug which eats the plants Biocontrol
 * __Methods of eradication:__**

Disturbing the soil when you pull it out just makes things worse - more plants come up in its place.
 * __Success of eradication:__**

__**SOME OTHER INTERESTING INFORMATION**__: Solanum Mauritianum is also an alien invader in other countries, like New Zealand, Australia, Fiji, Hawaii and India.