Garden Nightshade Solanum nigrum

The European Black Nightshade is an annual or short-lived perennial herb that is an erect and dense shrub. It is grown for its flowers and ornamental fruits. The plant has green leaves and tiny star-shaped white blooms that grow in short-stalked clusters in the summer. Berry-like fruits appear in the summer and fall. It is a member of the Solanaceae or nightshade family, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, peppers, and eggplants.

The plant is a native of parts of Europe, Asia, Macaronesia, and the North and Northeast portions of Africa. The European Black Nightshade has been introduced to the United States. Canada, and Australia. It is found in coastal areas, wetlands, pastures, woodlands, fields, along roadsides, or other disturbed sites. European Black Nightshade is a common weed in horticulture, and its seeds are easily spread by birds to pastures and wastelands. The plant may compete with crops and can become a serious problem. It has been classified as a weed in 61 countries.

The genus name, Solanum, is from the Latin word solamen, which means "comforting or soothing." The species name, nigrum, means "black" and refers to the black fruits.

European Black Nightshade prefers full sun and is intolerant to shade. It grows best in sand, loam, or clay with a slightly acidic pH. The plant is easy to maintain and is drought tolerant once established. The minimal temperature it will tolerate is 30 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant is propagated by seeds, and the flowers are pollinated by insects.

The stems are hairy, stout, and green or tinged with purple. The leaves are dark green on the upper surface, and the undersides are lighter green with a purplish tinge. They are ovate, entire, and may have short stout hairs on the upper and lower surface. The flower stalk supports three to twelve flowers in umbel-like cymes. The fruits are small green berries that ripen to black or purplish black. 

The leaves and the immature green berries of this plant are poisonous to humans and animals. They contain an alkaloid known as Solanine. Symptoms of poisoning include abdominal pain, vomiting, diarrhea, and possible death. Once the berries mature and turn black, the fruits are edible, in limited quantities. 

This plant should not be confused with a more toxic plant known as Deadly Nightshade. European Black Nightshade berries appear in clusters and the Deadly Nightshade berries are individual. 

When considering this plant, be mindful of its risk to pets and children as well as its tendency to become weedy.

Seasons of interest:

Bloom:  Summer     Fruits:   Summer, Fall

Quick ID Hints:

• erect, stout, green stems that may be tinged with purple
• dark green leaves, hairy or smooth, entire, wavy to dentate margins
• the flower stalks support 3 to 23 tiny white flowers with yellow anthers in umbel-like cymes
• clusters of green to black or purplish-black soft berries

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:  The plant may be susceptible to red spider mites, thrips, whiteflies, aphids, and flea beetles. Caterpillars and slugs can destroy the plant.