Scientific Family
Solanaceae
Synonyms
Solanum nigrum
Plant type
Forbs and Subshrubs
Origin
Native
Lifecycle
Perennial
Height
3 feet
Riparian
Yes
A short lived perennial sometimes turning woody with age. Stems sharply angled to curved. Shape and margins of leaves are variable.
Corolla (united petals) white with green spots at the center, anthers erect and yellow.
Habitat
Partly shaded slopes and sandy bottoms in canyons. Shrub and woodland environments.
Plant Community
Riparian
Pinyon Juniper Woodlands
Montane Conifer Forest
Interior Chaparral
Disturbed Areas
Low elevation
1500
High elevation
6000
Flower Characteristics
Calyx 5 lobed. Corolla 5 angled and star shaped to 3/4 inch diameter. White with green spots at center. Anthers are yellow. Flowers appear on stalks and sub-stalks to form umbel
inflorescence. Flower stalks to over 1 inch. Sub-stalks to almost 1/2 inch.
Flower color
White, green and yellow
Flower shape
Regular
Tubular
No
First bloom month
January
Last bloom month
December
Flower clusters
Other
Leaf and Stem Characteristics
Leaves 3/4 to 3-1/2 inches long by 3/8 to 2 inches wide. Shape varies from ovate to lance-elliptic. Margins vary from smooth to wavy to coarsely toothed. Apex is broadly shaped to pointed. Base also varies. Leaf stalk 3/4 to 2-1/3 inches long.
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf color
Light to dark green
Leaf shape
Round or oval
Leaf margin
Smooth
Leaves clasp
No
Leaf hairs
Stems
Spines
No
Fruit and Seed Characteristics
Smooth green, orange-brown or blackish berry at maturity to 1/2 inch wide.
Fruit type
Berry-like
Fruit color
Orangish-brown or blackish
Seeds are spherical, minutely pitted and 1/16 inch wide. Seeds are pale yellow.