eastern black nightshade
Family
SolanaceaeScientific Name
Solanum ptycanthum
Other Common Names:
Mexican thistle
kansas thistle
Texas thistle
Colorado bur
west Indian nightshade
Synonyms (former Scientific Names):
Solidago nigrum (auct. non L.)
Solanum americanum
Habit
Eastern black nightshade is a summer annual that grows to be about one foot high. It germinates from seeds and can grow late into summer and into early fall. It is hardy and resists light frosts.
Leaves
The young leaves of eastern black nightshade have undersides that are a maroonish-purple color. The shape is ovate or ovate-lancelote. They may be bluntly toothed and are often slightly hairy. Mature leaves are 2 to 4 inches (5 to 10 cm) long and 1 to 2 inches (2 to 5 cm) wide.
Identifying Characteristics
Underside of leaves are purple to almost black and young leaves are often maroon to purple colored. Fruit is a deep purple almost black color upon maturity.
Flower Seed Head
The flower of eastern black nightshade is about 1 to 2 centimeters in diameter. They are in clusters of 5 to 7, and are white or tinged purple.
Seed Fruit
The fruit of eastern black nightshade is a berry. It is approximately 5 to 12 millimeters in diameter. The berry is green when immature and turns to a deep purple when mature. The berries contain scleroic seeds, usually between 4 and a dozen.
Where Found
Eastern black nightshade is found throughout North America, though it is most common to the Eastern states, and is not usually west of the Rocky Mountains. This species usually found growing in pastures, along fence rows, roadsides, open woodlands, and fields.
Growth Habit
upright and nonwoody
Thorns or Spines
not present
Approximate Flower Diameter
Varies:
pencil,
dime
Dominant Flower Color
Varies:
white,
purple
Flower Symmetry
radial symmetery
Leaf Hairs
Varies:
has hairs,
no hairs
Leaf Shape
Varies:
lance,
oval,
triangle
Leaf Arrangement
alternate
Leaf Margin
Varies:
entire,
lobed,
serrated
Leaf Structure
simple
Leaf Stalk
shorter than leaf
Stem Hairs
no hairs
Stem Cross Section
Varies:
round or oval,
square or multi-edged
Milky Sap
not present
Root Structure
Varies:
fibrous,
taproot
Life Cycle
summer annual
Ochrea
not present
Plant Type
Herb