genus Solanum
Member of
nightshade family (family Solanaceae)
dicots (class Magnoliopsida)
flowering plants (subphylum Angiospermae)
Except for old historical records and extremely rare examples that I don't expect to encounter, there are no other wild species of this genus in the bay area.
The anthers are generally fused to form a golden longitudinally-segmented tube from which the style may or may not be exserted.
The european “deadly nightshade” can be fatal after eating as few as 10 berries, but it is a different genus with a different toxin. Ripe nightshades (genus Solanum) berries are non-toxic, but the leaves and unripe (green) berries are quite toxic, although probably not fatal. [source] However, I wouldn’t eat any of it if I were you.
Key features:
new zealand nightshade
Solanum aviculare
silverleaf nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Fruit key features:
Flower key features:
Stanford’s Jasper Ridge program has a key (PDF) for some white-flowered nightshades. Much more information about useful and non-useful features are in a free research article by Knapp et al.
The inflorescence typically has its flowers branching from a very short rhachis (axis), although occasionally they can be spaced out more. Jepson and Stanford pretend to distinguish raceme-like and umbel-like inflorescences, but there appears to be no consistent difference. The inflorescence is usually distinctly forked in {-forked nightshade), but other species may also rarely be forked.
Jepson and Stanford both list deceptive corolla widths which I have corrected according to my observations and Knapp. I’ve copied the anther lengths from Jepson, but have not yet attempted to verify their ranges.
The anthers are closely packed to form a golden longitudinally-segmented tube from which the style may or may not be exserted.
Toxicity of deadly nightshade (Solanum spp.):
4 – Ingestion of these plants, especially in large amounts, is expected to cause serious effects to the heart, liver, kidneys or brain. If ingested in any amount, call the poison center immediately.
5 observed taxons / 4 unobserved taxons / 1 key
Locations: Months: For more details, use advanced search.
Chris’s observations: 145 (126 are research grade)
Not all sites include this taxon:
Bay Area species: iNaturalist – Calflora
![[example]](../photos/american%20black%20nightshade,2.jpg){kind=link}