Native Plants
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Solanum ptycanthum
Solanum ptycanthum Dunal
Eastern Black Nightshade, West Indian Nightshade, Common Nightshade, Black Nightshade
Solanaceae (Potato Family)
Synonym(s): Solanum ptychanthum
USDA Symbol: sopt7
USDA Native Status: L48 (N), AK (I), HI (I), VI (I), CAN (N)
A smooth plant with few-flowered, lateral umbels of small, white, star-like, drooping flowers.
This native species, which some authorities claim includes S. americanum, often appears in open areas. Other similar nightshades with small white flowers include the western and Great Plains species Cut-leaved Nightshade (S. triflorum), with deeply dissected leaves, which occurs from the West Coast to Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri and occasionally eastward, and Hairy Nightshade (S. villosum), with very hairy stems and yellow or red berries, which occurs sporadically from Maine south to Florida.
Some authorities accept the orthographic variant, Solanum ptychanthum.
Plant Characteristics
Duration: AnnualHabit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Breeding System: Flowers Bisexual
Fruit Type: Berry
Size Notes: Up to about 3 feet tall.
Bloom Information
Bloom Color: White , BlueBloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug , Sep , Oct , Nov
Bloom Notes: White to faintly bluish.
Distribution
USA: AL , AR , AZ , CT , DC , DE , FL , IA , ID , IL , IN , KS , KY , LA , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , MS , MT , NC , ND , NE , NH , NJ , NM , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , SD , TN , TX , VA , VT , WI , WVCanada: AB , MB , NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC , SK
Native Distribution: Alberta east to Newfoundland, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to North Dakota; also in parts of West.
Native Habitat: Cultivated and disturbed areas and open woods.
Benefit
Warning: The leaves and berries contain a poisonous alkaloid, solanine, and should not be ingested. Although the plant is sometimes called Deadly Nightshade, its toxin is not fatal. However, the berries are attractive to children and can cause poisoning if eaten.Attracts: Birds
Poisonous: yes
National Wetland Indicator Status
Region: | AGCP | AK | AW | CB | EMP | GP | HI | MW | NCNE | WMVE |
Status: | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU | FACU |
From the National Organizations Directory
According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:Fredericksburg Nature Center - Fredericksburg, TX
Web Reference
Webref 80 - Illinois Wildflowers (2002) John HiltyWebref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter
Additional resources
USDA: Find Solanum ptycanthum in USDA PlantsFNA: Find Solanum ptycanthum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Solanum ptycanthum
Metadata
Record Modified: 2023-05-23Research By: TWC Staff