 |
| Eastern Black Nightshade Seedling |
Eastern black nightshade (Solanum ptycanthum) is native to the Americas and is commonly found throughout the United States east of the Rocky Mountains. Nightshade begins germinating in May and can continue throughout the growing season. Although it can cause crop yield reductions, more importantly it can interfere with the harvest and lower crop quality. Eastern black nightshade is a highly branched annual plant that grows 1 to 3 feet tall. Flowers have five reflexed petals and fruits are green berries that turn black at maturity. The plant can be found in cultivated fields, gardens, waste places and overgrazed pastures. Seeds germinate in the spring and early summer and plants flower from July to October with seed maturing in August through October.
Immature eastern black nightshade plants and berries are considered potentially toxic. Rapid ingestion of large quantities of highly toxic fruits of this plants can result in coma and rapid death. The concentration of toxic principle decreases in berries to safe or negligible levels as the plant matures. This alkaloid, solanidine, has been reported to cause nausea, vomiting, bloat, paralysis and even death if the plant is consumed before it has reached maturity. Even though livestock poisonings and deaths have been attributed to nightshade ingestion, species identification in such poisonings is not exact.
Managment Strategies
Mowing, plowing, disking, and cultivating are some of the more commonly used mechanical methods for field crop weed control. Existing nightshade infestations in hay crops or pastures can be controlled by timely mowing or swathing to prevent seed production. Repeated mowings may be necessary, however, due to the sporadic germination of the plant.
Additional Information
Management and Contorl of Nightshade - North Dakota University Extension Service
Eastern black nightshade - Weed Science University of Illinois
How Toxic is Eastern Black Nightshade? - University of Wisconsin Weed Science
