Black Nightshade, Blackberry Nightshade

Black Nightshade

Solanum nigrum

At first glance, the Black Nightshade looks like a small shrub. However, it only grows as an annual and does not survive the first frost. It shows its small white flowers from summer to winter. Depending on the location, it can grow up to 80 centimetres high.

Solanum nigrum

Solanum nigrum colonises cultivated landscapes and can be found along roadsides, on building sites, in parks, gardens, on walls and stairs. It grows in sunny to semi-shady locations.

Black nightshade is native to all continents, but its original range is in Asia, Europe and North Africa (source).

Black nightshade by the wayside
Black nightshade by the wayside, photographed in mid-November.

Although the Black Nightshade contains solanine and other toxins, it seems to be eaten in some regions. For this, the leaves are cooked extensively. However, its unripe berries are considered highly poisonous and it should not be eaten in the form it is found in our country (source).

Black nightshade berries
The green berries of the Black Nightshade are considered highly poisonous.
Black Nightshade on a staircase
The Black Nightshade on a staircase. In such locations it remains small and can flower as a plant only a few centimetres high.
Black Nightshade flowers
The flowers show that the Black Nightshade is related to the potato.
Solanum nigrum blackberry nightshade
Solanum nigrum in September. The flowering period can last until the first frosty night with about -0,5 °C.