Plants and Mushrooms

Blackberry nightshade

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.
Other		-
Symptoms		The entire plant is considered toxic however ripe berries are usually harmless. Eating green berries may cause headache, nausea and mild stomach upset.
Toxicity category		2
Warning		Seek medical attention if symptoms occur or more than 3 unripe (green) berries are eaten.