Seek medical attention if symptoms occur or more than 3 unripe (green) berries are eaten.
Description
An annual or perennial soft wooded herb to about 60cm often found growing as a weed in gardens or waste areas.
The flowers are small, star-shaped, white, clustered together in groups of 4 to 8, measuring 0.8 to 1.2cm in diameter.
The leaves are alternate, with an undulate or entire margin, and measure up to 13cm long and up to 7cm wide.
Toxicity
Symptoms
The entire plant is considered toxic however ripe berries are usually harmless. Eating green berries may cause headache, nausea and mild stomach upset.
Images
Details
Common name: Blackberry nightshade
Botanical name: Solanum nigrum and Solanum americanum
Other common names: common nightshade, glossy nightshade
Family: Solanaceae
General description: An annual or perennial soft wooded herb to about 60cm often found growing as a weed in gardens or waste areas.
Flowers: The flowers are small, star-shaped, white, clustered together in groups of 4 to 8, measuring 0.8 to 1.2cm in diameter.
Leaves: The leaves are alternate, with an undulate or entire margin, and measure up to 13cm long and up to 7cm wide.
Fruit/Berries: The fruit are globular, about 6 to 8mm in diameter, green ripening to a dull or shiny black or dark purple. The ripe fruit are soft and contain numerous small seeds.
Last updated: July 2023