The porcupine tomato is a native of Madagascar. It reminds me a little of a
killer dandelion.
Identification: Plants are 1½-2′ (45-60 cm) high.
Porcupine tomatoes are not found
in the wild in North America. They look really weird. The leaves resemble those of dandelions,
except that they are blue-green, and stems and leaves are festooned with deadly-looking orange spikes. Purple
star-shaped flowers with five points and yellow centers are about ¾″ (1.9 cm) across. Even the
fruit has thorns. It is doubtful that this plant can be mistaken for any other.