Erect, sparingly clonal, woody shrub to 2 m, dark green, pubescent with stellate hairs; hairs sparse to absent on upper leaf-surface except along veins, dense on lower surface; prickles to 12 mm long, usually scattered on stems, less common or absent elsewhere.

Leaves lanceolate-elliptic; lamina 3–7 cm long, 1–2.5 cm wide, sometimes larger, discolorous, entire or margin irregular; petiole 5–20 mm long.  

Inflorescence 1–10–flowered; peduncle to 2 cm long; rachis up to 2 cm long; pedicels 1–2 cm long, slightly longer in fruit. Calyx 6–8 mm long; lobes narrowly triangular, 3–6 mm long. Corolla stellate, deeply incised, 20–25 mm diam., pale lilac to almost white. Anthers 4–5 mm long.

Fruiting calyx-lobes 7–8 mm long. Berry globular, 5–10 mm diam., bright red. Seeds 1.5–2 mm long, usually pale yellow. n=12.

Bean's more comprehensive description of this species can be seen at http://delta-intkey.com/solanum/www/stellige.htm

Occurs along the eastern coast of Qld and N.S.W. on coastal sand dunes, in Eucalypt forest and on rainforest margins. More inland Qld occurrences on the AVH generated map probably represent S. parvifolium rather than S. stelligerum.

Grows mainly in sandy loam, dune sand and basaltic soil, occasionally in clay.

A variable species, particularly in south-eastern Qld.

Fruits eaten by Aborigines in coastal N.S.W. and the Brisbane area, but small quantities are recommended. The red fruits are also eaten by birds.