Can anyone identify this crop?

[Goodwood]

View attachment 10947

A big field of it being grown in Martinshaven, Pembs

about knee high with glossy green leaves with either white or blue flowers.
stems, leaves AND flowers covered in nasty spines.
Striking things - almost out of a science fiction film

View attachment 10946

 

[alldigging]

Don't know.

Something like?
http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/w...605030c0f01/media/Html/Solanum_linnaeanum.htm

 

[REDWOOD]

Argemone pleiacantha, prickly poppy

 

[madasafish]

Trifid?

 

[Tomo]

Possible uses in medicine.

 

[Goodwood]

hi Redwood
close but definitely not that

 

[Tim.S]

Might be Solanum Atropurpureum but I need to do a bit more research. A lot of the information on the net is duff and the best place to find out involves dusting off some old text books! (If I can find them!)

 

[mintmoth]

I think it's Solanum linnaeanum, Devil's Apple, a relative of potatoes and tomatoes, but poisonous. A pernicious weed in Australia and NZ I believe. Some varieties are supposed to be edible or medicinal, or used for something, but don't know what.
Or it could be the one Tim says. How did mankind manage to hit on toms and spuds amid so many nasties?

http://keyserver.lucidcentral.org/w...605030c0f01/media/Html/Solanum_linnaeanum.htm

 

[Blacky50]

Looks like Solanum (potato/tomato family). Would be useful to get a better photo of the flowers and any fruit.

Why would they be growing this?

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

How did mankind manage to hit on toms and spuds amid so many nasties?

maybe 'someone' pointed the way?

 

[Goodwood]

I think alldigging has nailed it
Thanks
I will try and find out which farm and ask why they are growing it

 

[jenkinsbrynmair]

Quite a bit of it out in Lesotho - bees seemed interested in it

 

[kazmcc]

Quick search found it is used for skin disorders, and is being investigated for it's use on skin cancers. Seems to be a bit of a pest.

 

[Goodwood]

It is indeed Solanum linnaeanum
I spoke to the farmer. He has planted it as a environmental pesticide in that it is toxic to a pest which hits potatoes.
It will be ploughed in.