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Eastern Black Nightshade




  Name Eastern Black Nightshade
  Regnum Plant ae
  Divisio Magnoliophyta
  Classis Magnoliopsida
  Ordo Solanales
  Familia Solanaceae
  Genus '' Solanum ''
  Species '''''S ptycanthum'''''
  Binomial ''Solanum ptycanthum''
  Binomial Authority Dun


Eastern black nightshade (''Solanum ptycanthum'') is an Annual or occasionally a Perennial in the Solanaceae or Nightshade Family. Eastern black nightshade is 15-60 cm tall, and is much branched. All parts of the plant contain Solanine , and are poisonous. The main symptom of poisoning is Gastrointestinal Irritation .

The leaves of Eastern black nightshade are triangular to elliptic. The stems are circular, and sometimes slightly hairy. The flowers are small, white, and star-shaped. They are located in small Umbel s of 5-7. The flowers ripen into glossy, black Berries , each 10 mm in diameter and containing between 50 and 100 seeds. The fruits ''aren't'' poisonous, which allows Birds to eat and disperse of the seeds.


HABITAT

Eastern black nightshade grows in landscapes, and most Crops . It is most likely to be found growing near crops of related species such as Tomatoes and Potatoes . It can grow on sandy and poor Soil , but prefers fertile and cultivated soil types. Eastern black nightshade is found principally in the Eastern United States .


REFERENCES

  • Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. Ditomaso, ''Weeds of The Northeast'', (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1997), Pp. 318-319.