Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry)

Botanical name

Solanum pseudocapsicum

Other names

Christmas cherry, Madeira cherry, Jerusalem cherry, Winter cherry

Genus

Solanum Solanum

Species

S. pseudocapsicum - S. pseudocapsicum is a tender, erect, bushy, evergreen shrub, often grown as a houseplant or annual, with glossy, elliptic, wavy, dark green leaves and cymes of star-shaped, white flowers in summer followed by spherical, yellow, orange, or red fruit.

Foliage

Evergreen

Habit

Bushy, Erect

Toxicity

All parts of the plant, including the berries may be poisinous if ingested

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Colour

Flower

White in Summer

Foliage

Dark-green in All seasons

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How to care

Watch out for

Specific pests

Aphids

General care

Pruning

Pruning group 9. If treated an an annual, remove at the en of the growing season.

Propagation methods

Seed, Semi-ripe cuttings

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Monthly care advice

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Where to grow

Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry) will reach a height of 0.4m and a spread of 0.4m after 2-5 years.

Suggested uses

Indoor, Greenhouse, Containers, Conservatory, Sub-Tropical

Cultivation

Grow under glass in loam-based compost in full light with shade from hot sun. Water freely & feed monthly in growth. Mist daily. Pots can be moved outdoors for summer. In frost-free areas, grow in moderately fertile, neutral to alkaline soil in sun.

Soil type

Chalky, Clay, Sandy

Soil drainage

Moist but well-drained, Well-drained

Soil pH

Alkaline, Neutral

Light

Full Sun

Aspect

South, West

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.

Indoor heated (H1), Tender in frost (H3)

USDA zones

Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9

Defra's Risk register #1

Plant name

Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry)

Common pest name

Cassava whitefly; Cotton whitefly; Sweet potato whitefly; Tobacco whitefly

Scientific pest name

Bemisia tabaci non-European populations

Type

Insect

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

2

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

5

General biosecurity comments

Non-European populations of Bemisia tabaci pose an additional risk to European populations due to the potential for introducing non-European viruses.

Defra's Risk register #2

Plant name

Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry)

Common pest name

Apple root knot nematode

Scientific pest name

Meloidogyne mali

Type

Nematode

Current status in UK

Unknown

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

UK (along with certain other European countries) received potentially infested trees in 1992; but these were destroyed at the end of the trial period and targeted surveillance has failed to find any trace of the nematode. Main impacts are on elm; apple and mulberry and industry should source such material carefully.

Defra's Risk register #3

Plant name

Solanum pseudocapsicum (Jerusalem cherry)

Common pest name

; Black wood of grapevine; Female sterility of tobacco; Fruit woodiness of tomato; Maize Redness; Mal azul of tomato; Metabolbur; Metastolbur; Parastolbur; Purple top of potato; Stolbur of potato; Stolbur of tobacco; Stolbur of tomato

Scientific pest name

Candidatus Phytoplasma solani

Type

Phytoplasma

Current status in UK

Absent

Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

3

Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)

4

General biosecurity comments

Phytoplasma which potentially affects a wide host range; determined by the feeding behaviour of vectors. First UK outbreak in 2014; on strawberry; a host not specifically regulated in EU legislation. This legislation should be reviewed to take account of this and other developments.

About this section

Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.

Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here

Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.

Date updated: 7^th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/