trade
search plant database and seed store
Plant Informational Database

Giant Devil's Fig

Solanum hispidum

A scraggly, but quite ornamental shrub bearing beautiful, fluffy purple flowers.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Giant Devil's Fig. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

Small shrub to 3-5ft, noticable for its large, velvety, fuzzy leaves. The trunk and branches can have small thorns, though they aren't particularly prominent. The large leaves grow to several inches. Clustered purple flowers, of the classic Solanaceae look and shape are borne in Spring and Summer. Cherry-tomato sized fruits follow and ripen to a dark purple with grayish green spots. The fruits are probably not edible.

Hardiness

Unknown, but in our experience the bush is hardy to at least 25F and probably lower.

Growing Environment

Grow in full sun. Water moderately Once established it is fairly hardy.

Propagation

By seeds. Seeds should be planted in well-drained soil and can be slow to germinate, generally taking several weeks.

Uses

Sometimes planted as an ornamental for its pretty leaves and flowers as well as its strange look.

Native Range

Native to South America. Has escaped cultivation in parts of Africa and Asia. While this shrub is not invasive in temperate climates, care should be taken in some areas, such as Australia as it has the potential there to become a noxious weed.

Additional Pictures

banner banner

Related Species

Solanaceae  
Acnistus arborescens
Wild Tobacco
Brugmansia arborea
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia aurea
Golden Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia candida
White Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia sanguinea
Red Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia suaveolens
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia versicolor
Orange Angel's Trumpet
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum exile
Cobincho Pepper
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum galapagoense
Galapagos Island Pepper
Capsicum praetermissum
Cumari
Capsicum rhomboideum
Capsicum rhomboideum
Cyphomandra abutiloides
Dwarf Tamarillo
Cyphomandra betacea
Tree Tomato
Datura inoxia
Thorn Apple
Datura metel
Double Purple Datura
Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis)
Mini Angel's Trumpet
Iochroma cyaneum
Violet Churcu
Iochroma fuchsioides
Red Iochroma
Iochroma grandiflora
Giant Iochroma
Jaltomata procumbens
Jaltomato
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Nicotiana glauca
Tree Tobacco
Physalis alkekengi
Chinese Lantern
Physalis angulata
Mullaca
Physalis costomatl
Cotztomatl
Physalis ixocarpa
Tomatillo
Physalis minima
Sunberry
Physalis peruviana
Cape Gooseberry
Physalis pruinosa
Ground Cherry
Solanum aviculare
Kangaroo Apple
Solanum burbankii
Wonderberry
Solanum caripense
Tzimbalo
Solanum chessmanii
Galapagos Island Tomato
Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet
Solanum hispidum
Giant Devil's Fig
Solanum lycocarpum
Fruit for Wolves
Solanum macrocarpon
Gbogname
Solanum mammosum
Nipple Fruit
Solanum melanocerasum
Garden Huckleberry
Solanum muricatum
Pepino
Solanum pseudolulo
Pseudolulo
Solanum quitoense
Naranjilla
Solanum sessiliflorum
Cocona
Solanum uporo
Cannibal's Tomato
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha