Plant Profile: Solanum nigrum

Taxonomy: Solanum nigrum

Names

Black Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, Nightshade

  • Photo of Solanum nigrum (Solanum nigrums)

Phonetic Spelling:so-LAN-num NYE-grum

Genus:Solanum

Species:nigrum

Family:Solanaceae

This is an annual herb characterized by its alternate, simple leaves with smooth edges. The flowers are small and can be either white or pale violet, consisting of five petals. The fruit resembles a dull blackberry.

This plant is commonly found in weedy environments such as disturbed areas, along roadsides, at the edges of moist woodlands, in waste spaces, and along fencerows, as well as in forests or natural habitats.

Caution: It is toxic only if consumed in large amounts.

Toxic part: Berries

Mode of toxicity: Ingestion

Solanum nigrum Feature Summary

Solanum nigrum Image Gallery

Tags

#problem for cats
#problem for dogs
#problem for horses

Similar Plants

Solanum nigrum Feature Summary

Attributes
Uncommon in Coastal Plain
Ripe berries are made into jam, but do not eat raw
Poisonous to Humans
Hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, CNS depression, abdominal pain, confusion, nausea, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate. May be fatal
Solanine alkaloid, saponins, atropine like substances
Whole Plant Traits
Poisonous
Flowers
Purple/Lavender
White
Landscape
Problem for Cats
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses

Solanum nigrum Attributes

Solanum nigrum: Country Or Region Of Origin

South America

Solanum nigrum: Distribution

Uncommon in Coastal Plain

Solanum nigrum: Edibility

Ripe berries are made into jam, but do not eat raw

Solanum nigrum Poisonous to Humans

Solanum nigrum: Poison Symptoms

Hypersalivation, inappetence, severe gastrointestinal upset, diarrhea, vomiting, drowsiness, CNS depression, abdominal pain, confusion, nausea, behavioral change, weakness, dilated pupils, slow heart rate. May be fatal

Solanum nigrum: Poison Toxic Principle

Solanine alkaloid, saponins, atropine like substances

Solanum nigrum: Poison Severity

High
Low
Medium

Solanum nigrum: Causes Contact Dermatitis

No
Yes

Solanum nigrum: Poison Part

Bark
Flowers
Fruits
Leaves
Roots
Sap/Juice
Seeds
Stems

Solanum nigrum Whole Plant Traits

Solanum nigrum: Plant Type

Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower

Solanum nigrum Flowers

Solanum nigrum: Flower Color

filter_vintage
Purple/Lavender
filter_vintage
White

Solanum nigrum Leaves

Solanum nigrum: Leaf Type

Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple

Solanum nigrum: Leaf Arrangement

Alternate
Opposite
Other/more complex
Rosulate
Whorled

Solanum nigrum: Hairs Present

No
Yes

Solanum nigrum Stem

Solanum nigrum: Stem Is Aromatic

No
Yes

Solanum nigrum Landscape

Solanum nigrum: Problems

Allelopathic
Contact Dermatitis
Frequent Disease Problems
Frequent Insect Problems
Invasive Species
Malodorous
Messy
Poisonous to Humans
Problem for Cats
Problem for Children
Problem for Dogs
Problem for Horses
Short-lived
Spines/Thorns
Weak Wood
Weedy