Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.

Silverleaf Nightshade; White Horse Nettle

Herb

Perennial

Vascular

Silverleaf Nightshade is an introduced perennial herbaceous plant in the Nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is native to the southern Plains south through South America and has been introduced around the world. It is considered a noxious weed in arid to semi-arid places including India, Australia, and South Africa. In Alabama it has been found in scattered locations in central and north Alabama. Silverleaf Nightshade is a perennial herb from an elongate taproot. It forms colonies from elongate rhizomes. The stems are 2-3 feet in height and branched above the middle. Stems may be armed with short, straight prickles or lack them. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, elliptic to oblong-lanceolate in outline, with undulate margins. The stems and leaves are densely covered with stellate (star shaped) hairs, giving them a silvery or grayish appearance. Flowers are produced in few-flowered axillary cymes. The calyx is five-lobed and stellate pubescent. The corolla is blue in color and 5-lobed in a star shape. The fruit is a globose yellow berry with many seed. Silverleaf Nightshade is toxic to humans or livestock if consumed. The plant contains solanine and glycoalkaloid solanidine. Consumption of the plant results in gastrointestinal, neurological, and coronary problems including emesis, stomach pains, dizziness, headaches, and arrhythmia.--A. Diamond

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Not Native

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