Solanum atropurpureum

For summer, the Gardens’ staff create much admired tender plant displays in the bed to the west of the pavilions and in the bed outside South Lodge on the Thompson Road drive.  See in the latter bed extraordinary Solanum atropurpureum!  This must be one of the most distinctive plants in cultivation with not only having the deep purple stems covered in long spiny thorns, but the tops and undersides of the leaves too.  The leaves are a marvellous shiny dark green, deeply lobed, giving an almost frilly effect.

The flowers, reminiscent of other members of the Solanaceae genus,  such as tomato and aubergine, are relatively insignificant.  The small golden  fruits which follow are poisonous when ingested, as are all parts of the plant.
Exotic plant enthusiast, garden staff member Andy, has grown this from seed.

Originally from Brazil, S. atropurpureum is also known as Malevolence, Purple Devil and Five-Minute (because an observer spends 5 minutes looking at it!).