Join / Renew / Gift Donate Shop Member Portal Language

Search
npsot_bluebonnet_full_color

Native Plant Society of Texas

American Black Nightshade

Solanum americanum

Other common name(s):

Common Purple Nightshade, Smallflower Nightshade

Family:

Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)

Plant Ecoregion Distribution Map

This map uses data from the US EPA. EPA  servers have been offline frequently so maps may not display. We are working on a solution.

Gulf Coast Prairies and Marshes
Lower Rio Grande Alluvial Floodplain, Lower Rio Grande Valley, Northern Humid Gulf Coastal Prairies

Plant Characteristics

Growth Form

Herbaceous

Height

1
to
3
ft.

Spread

to
ft.

Leaf Retention

Deciduous

Lifespan

Annual

Habitat and Care Requirements

Soil Type(s)

Sand, Loam, Clay, Well Drained, Moist

Light Requirement

Sun, Part Shade

Water Requirement

Low, Medium

Native Habitat

Grassland, Woodland

Bloom and Attraction

Bloom Color

White, Yellow, Green

Bloom Season

Summer, Fall

Seasonal Interest

Fruit, Pollen

Wildlife Benefit

Birds, Bees

Maintenance

Adaptable to a wide range of growing conditions. WARNING: all parts of the plant are highly toxic to all animals and humans. Native habitat: disturbed areas, forest, thickets, grasslands, mountain slopes, wastelands, and cultivated gardens or crop fields. Not commonly found in commercial nurseries, but may be offered by NPSOT chapter plant sales.

Comments

Blooms June-September. Erect stems are angular and widely branched, sometimes turning woody, with curved teeth as they age. Pale green leaves are oval to lance-shaped, with a coarsely wavy or toothed margin. Can grow as an annual or short-lived perennial, depending on the region. Produces star-shaped white flowers with a yellow cone-shaped center. The green fruits mature into shiny black berries, containing numerous small seeds.
Previous Scientific Name(s): Solanum americanum var. nodiflorum, Solanum americanum var. patulum, Solanum caribaeum, Solanum fistulosum, Solanum hermannii, Solanum linnaeanum, Solanum nigrum var. americanum, Solanum nigrum var. virginicum, Solanum nodiflorum, Solanum sodomeum

References

Learn about how to propagate Texas native plants.

Material Treatment Method Collection References
Seed Scarification Fill seed trays or pots with a well-draining seed-starting mix. To speed up the germination process, try gently scratching the seed coat. Sow the seeds about 1/4 inch deep and lightly cover them with soil. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. Place the trays in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Solanum americanum seeds typically germinate within 1-2 weeks. Gather mature berries that have turned fully black. Gently squeeze the berries to extract the seeds and remove the pulp. Wash the seeds thoroughly and let them air dry for a few days. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-solanum-americanum/ 2) https://earthone.io/plant/solanum%20americanum
Stem Cutting Dip the cut end in a rooting hormone. Plant the prepared cuttings in a pot filled with moistened propagation mix or a peat moss and sand blend. Cover the pot with a humidity dome or plastic wrap to help retain moisture. Place the pot in a bright location, but out of direct sunlight. Rooting typically takes a few weeks. Once the cuttings have rooted, maintain regular watering and fertilize lightly. During the spring or summer months, take a 4-6 inch cutting from a healthy stem. Remove the lower leaves. 1) https://propagate.one/how-to-propagate-solanum-americanum/ 2) https://earthone.io/plant/solanum%20americanum

About the Region

Fall Symposium 2025 Logo - Teach for the Future

Salado, the location of our Fall 2025 Symposium, lies at the intersection of two ecoregions: the Edwards Plateau (Limestone Cut Plain) and Blackland Prairie (Northern Blackland Prairie).

The Edwards Plateau area is also called the Hill Country; however, this general term covers a much larger area extending farther north. Spring-fed creeks are found throughout the region; deep limestone canyons, rivers, and lakes (reservoirs) are common. Ashe juniper is perhaps the most common woody species found throughout the region. Additional woody species include various species of oak, with live oak (Quercus fusiformis) being the most common. Sycamores (Platanus occidentalis) and bald cypress (Taxodium distichum) border waterways. This area is well known for its spring wildflower displays, though they may be viewed in spring, late summer, and fall, as well. According to Texas Parks and Wildlife, average annual rainfall in the Edwards Plateau ranges from 15 to 34 inches.

The Blackland Prairie extends from the Red River south to San Antonio, bordered on the west by the Edwards Plateau and the Cross Timbers, and on the east by the Post Oak Savannah. Annual rainfall averages 30 to 40 inches, with higher averages to the east. This region is dominated by prairie species. The most common grass species include little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) and Indian grass (Sorghastrum nutans) in the uplands and switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) in the riparian areas and drainages. Common herbaceous flowering plants include salvias, penstemons, and silphiums. This area has suffered greatly from overgrazing and agricultural use. Few intact areas remain, though many of the plants can be found along county roadsides throughout the region.

Our fall Symposium host chapter, the Tonkawa Chapter, includes both of these ecoregions.

Source: Wildflowers of Texas by Michael Eason