{"assessment":{"band":"Severe harm","fit_score":null,"harm":null,"harm_source":"https://ncwildflower.org/invasive-exotic-species-list/","invasive_evidence":[{"category":"listed_invasive","rank":null,"scientific_name":"Solanum viarum","state":"GA","url":"https://gainvasivespeciescouncil.org/list/invasive-plants/"}],"native_basis":"not_native","rarity_adjustment":null,"rarity_policy":"Conservation status is displayed separately and never changes ecological scores, including when unranked.","reason":"Listed invasive in Georgia; do not plant. Uses the shared species harm profile established from NC evidence; not a state agency severity rating.","reference":"NC native reference cohort, method 0.6.4; not a Georgia percentile","score":-55,"scoring_inputs":{"harm_penalty":0,"invasive":true,"invasive_rank":"2","native":false,"state_rank":""},"severity_basis":"shared_rank","severity_mapping":"Existing shared species harm profile from NC source","status":"scored_invasive","version":"shared-0.6.5"},"condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:1faf14a3696241787e012544747093ae1a31514285ebbdc4034842dc3bfc5561","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:a587bd2e8ba63e65c63c21f53ea6aca10af8e3498a8b139e62d42293dab9c1c5","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"evidence":{"fit_score":null,"growth_habit":["Shrub"],"invasive_status":{"status":"listed"},"native_status":{"status":"not_native"},"occurrence":{"county_fips":[],"meaning":"Recorded occurrence; not a county native-range assertion"},"quercus_score":null,"regional":{"county_fips":[],"growth_habit":"shrub","growth_habit_source":"tnky_atlas","invasive":true,"invasive_evidence":[{"category":"listed_invasive","rank":null,"scientific_name":"Solanum viarum","state":"GA","url":"https://gainvasivespeciescouncil.org/list/invasive-plants/"}],"invasive_rank":null,"native":false,"native_evidence":[{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/3637"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"introduced","scope":"GA","source":"ga_invasive","url":"https://gainvasivespeciescouncil.org/list/invasive-plants/"}],"native_status":"not_native","source_ids":["sernec:101674"],"source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_refs":["GA-checklist-8.html","ga_invasive"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=8&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":null},"source_refs":["GA-checklist-8.html","ga_invasive"],"source_url":"https://sernecportal.org/portal/checklists/checklist.php?pagenumber=8&clid=3416&dynclid=0&pid=84&searchsynonyms=1","state_rank":{"value":null}},"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"fit_record":{"band":"Severe harm","condition_evidence":{"light":{"evidence_id":"fact:1faf14a3696241787e012544747093ae1a31514285ebbdc4034842dc3bfc5561","levels":[4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[4,4],"scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"semantics":"source_light_categories_preserved_without_hour_conversion","source_field":"light","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"mapped_selected_fact"},"moisture":{"evidence_id":"fact:a587bd2e8ba63e65c63c21f53ea6aca10af8e3498a8b139e62d42293dab9c1c5","levels":[0,3,4],"policy":"selected-condition-categories-1","range":[0,4],"scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"semantics":"documented_native_habitat_conditions","source_field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","status":"mapped_selected_fact"}},"county_fips":[],"fit_inputs":{"light":[4,4],"moisture":[0,4],"ph":null},"fit_note":"Shared sunlight, moisture and pH calculation; county geography is an additional layer. Missing source traits remain unknown.","fit_provenance":{"light":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","moisture":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"invasive_rank":true,"native_eligible":false,"quercus_score":-55,"state":"GA"},"garden_suitability":{"default_excluded":false,"flags":[],"review_status":"not_assessed"},"growing_observations":{"floraquest_carolinas_georgia":{"matched_name":"Solanum viarum","retrieved":"2026-10-04T13:31:16.252589+00:00","scope":{"kind":"region","region_id":"floraquest_nc_sc_ga"},"scope_note":"Original regional ecological and identification evidence; no location-specific gardening adjustments.","source_label":"FloraQuest: Carolinas, Georgia (Southeastern Flora Team)","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_record_id":5096,"source_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_url":"https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.emountainworks.android.southeastfieldguide","trait_evidence":[{"field":"habitat_description","source_column":"HabitatText","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Pastures, roadsides, other disturbed areas."},{"field":"geographic_range_description","source_column":"Description","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Native of South America (s. Brazil, Paraguay, and n. Argentina). This species only appeared in our area a few decades ago, but has been publicized as a severe, extremely aggressive, and rapidly spreading weed (Wunderlin et al. 1993; Mullahey et al. 1993; Mullahey 1996)."},{"field":"phenology_source_text","source_column":"Phenology","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"Organism","value":"Apr-Sep (-Mar)."},{"field":"taxonomic_synonymy","source_column":"Synonymy","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"Organism","value":"[= Fl6, FNA14, K1, K4, NS, POWO, WH3; = n/a — Pa, RAB]"},{"field":"habitat_moisture_categories","source_column":"Attr2","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Dry","Moist","Wet"]},{"field":"habitat_light_categories","source_column":"Attr3","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":["Partial shade","Full sun"]},{"field":"graphic_key_source_attributes","source_column":"Attr0..25","source_database_sha256":"684f6b364ff9f3023aa61ed02ae50f6f6d6d4d3bcf76847b78ab769ae0453469","source_record_id":5096,"source_table":"GraphicKey","value":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"lob","Attr13":"nt,to","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl24,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"gr,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_mt:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 1-12","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"x","Attr7":"n,y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"}}],"values":{"geographic_range_description":"Native of South America (s. Brazil, Paraguay, and n. Argentina). This species only appeared in our area a few decades ago, but has been publicized as a severe, extremely aggressive, and rapidly spreading weed (Wunderlin et al. 1993; Mullahey et al. 1993; Mullahey 1996).","graphic_key_source_attributes":{"Attr0":"gr14","Attr1":"nc_cp,sc_cp,sc_mt,sc_pd,ga_cp,ga_mt,ga_pd,","Attr11":"pin","Attr12":"lob","Attr13":"nt,to","Attr14":"Bl14,Bl24,Bl5,Bl9","Attr15":"wh","Attr16":"n","Attr17":"rad","Attr18":"5","Attr19":"gr,wh","Attr2":"Dry,Moist,Wet","Attr20":"y","Attr21":"F2","Attr3":"Part,Sun","Attr3a":"n","Attr3a_subregion":"native_nc_cp:n,native_sc_cp:n,native_sc_mt:n,native_sc_pd:n,native_ga_cp:n,native_ga_mt:n,native_ga_pd:n,","Attr4":" 1-12","Attr5":"s","Attr6":"x","Attr7":"n,y","Attr8":"alt","Attr9":"sim"},"habitat_description":"Pastures, roadsides, other disturbed areas.","habitat_light_categories":["Partial shade","Full sun"],"habitat_moisture_categories":["Dry","Moist","Wet"],"phenology_source_text":"Apr-Sep (-Mar).","taxonomic_synonymy":"[= Fl6, FNA14, K1, K4, NS, POWO, WH3; = n/a — Pa, RAB]"}},"forest_service":{"identity_basis":"Exact existing catalog or state-source name","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:43:24.168909+00:00","scope":"Source botanical description; original units and scope retained","scoring_allowed":false,"source_label":"Fire Effects Information System: Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"af26ac7cd25afc13639acf29d59b03f141f26fa7995903db02bdf8cb53acc205","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/solvia","trait_evidence":[{"catalog_id":"nc:solanum-viarum","field":"height_description","height_description":"It typically grows from 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) tall, and the leaves and stems are lined with thorn-like prickles up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long [70].","life_stage":"general_botanical_description","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","paragraph_sha256":"d3077ad3a00d30d5fc2ec9930de03cb1e87e420045e3cbc5a005ecfc487fd9bf","retrieved":"2026-10-01T13:43:24.168909+00:00","review_status":"reviewed","source_quote":"In North America, tropical soda apple has been described as a broadleaf herb [23,69,102], subshrub [59], or shrub [59,108]. In India, it is considered a \"woody\" herb [80]. It is generally a perennial where it occurs in warm climates [11,23,70] and may remain green over the winter [23,59]. In places that experience frost, tropical soda apple may be an annual [11]. It typically grows from 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) tall, and the leaves and stems are lined with thorn-like prickles up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long [70]. Leaves are 2 to 8 inches (6-20 cm) long × 2 to 6 inches (6-15 cm) wide [70]. Its inflorescence is a 1- to 3- flowered cyme [108]. Fruits are globular berries. They are typically about 0.8 to 1 inch (2-3 cm) in diameter at maturity [70], but viable seed may develop in ripe fruits as small as 0.4 inch (1 cm) in diameter [11] (see Germination). As fruits ripen, they transition from green to yellow [85]. The seeds are lens-shaped [102] and about 2 mm long [108].","source_section":"Solanum viarum, tropical soda apple / Botanical Description / Aboveground Characteristics","source_sha256":"af26ac7cd25afc13639acf29d59b03f141f26fa7995903db02bdf8cb53acc205","source_title":"Fire Effects Information System: Solanum viarum","source_url":"https://research.fs.usda.gov/feis/species-reviews/solvia"}],"values":{"height_description":"It typically grows from 3 to 6 feet (1-2 m) tall, and the leaves and stems are lined with thorn-like prickles up to 1 inch (2.5 cm) long [70]."}},"ncsu_sitemap":{"matched_name":"Solanum viarum","retrieved":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Source-reported species characteristics; not a location-specific estimate.","source_label":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","trait_evidence":[{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"flower_color","original_field":"flower_color","record_id":"trait:3f8fee99fdd6c35bbf50907ba19073a6c733234ceb692dfa0d060a6356ff6228","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":["White"]},{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"height_description","original_field":"height","record_id":"trait:40e1007b234d0f5023ffa7edb0b0386d61946ec661b2b69819554117b9292b96","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":{"max":6,"min":3,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"life_cycle","original_field":"life_cycle","record_id":"trait:8f8b9e7cf718f2572bb6b2ac92c0fde0d1851091ae4d53237b0b5bd7ee8480a9","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":["Perennial"]},{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"leaf_habit","original_field":"leaf_habit","record_id":"trait:b4b62aaed3215a1a097cb753f643a224c178d3eef1f8b52c2e04554a800bb975","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":["Deciduous"]},{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"spread_description","original_field":"spread","record_id":"trait:c93f58bf75be2c2dda2f991b1a4f93cb4345f38b944f5c3e182668e281d7d860","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":{"max":6,"min":3,"unit":"feet"}},{"expected_source_name":"Solanum viarum","field":"light","original_field":"light","record_id":"trait:ef1108e67c44dc00800cdbd4b49eb342d97ec512bac7976bad1a25b089b42c4a","retrieved_at":"2026-10-04T02:45:21.808337+00:00","scope":{"kind":"unspecified"},"scope_note":"Species profile; distribution and native-status discovery filters do not establish local growing or bloom timing.","source":"ncsu","source_name":"Solanum viarum","source_sha256":"4210a642b60cfb6db4059715b2f7c8730437f6c68af33c3cb5e75c12a03e0fc2","source_url":"https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-viarum/","status":"eligible_fact","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","value":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"]}],"values":{"flower_color":["White"],"height_description":"3–6 feet","leaf_habit":["Deciduous"],"life_cycle":["Perennial"],"light":["Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)"],"spread_description":"3–6 feet"}}},"light_range":["full sun","full sun"],"light_source":"NC Extension Plant Toolbox","native_synthesis":{"claims":[{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","scope":"TN-KY","source":"tnky_atlas","url":"https://tennessee-kentucky.plantatlas.usf.edu/plant/species/3637"},{"claim":"introduced","matched_name":"Solanum viarum","scope":"L48","source":"usda","text":"L48:I","url":"https://plants.usda.gov/"},{"claim":"introduced","scope":"GA","source":"ga_invasive","url":"https://gainvasivespeciescouncil.org/list/invasive-plants/"}],"county_native_range":"unresolved","explanation":"Source scopes are preserved. State occurrence alone does not establish nativity; combined regional evidence is labeled estimated.","label":"Not native to Georgia","rule":"southeast-native-synthesis-1","status":"not_native"},"source_name":"Solanum viarum","taxon_id":"taxon:4c2b5059-04e0-5081-a338-0c968eec5ccd","revision":"publish:5809c037-0e9a-430a-8008-5ab6f69800c0","photos":[{"id":"solanum-viarum-2815935","src":"/api/photos/image/d967137701dbf4100a10cd691e183f7f99983510ad3bc20e587fbca0bf639656.jpg","view":"bloom","alt":"Solanum viarum — flower photograph","width":960,"height":1459,"artist":"James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org","license":"CC BY 3.0 us","license_url":"https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/us/deed.en","source_url":"https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solanum_viarum_2132028.jpg","changes":"Wikimedia thumbnail; no crop or retouching"}]}