Other common names
Cut-leaf nightshade, small nightshade
Scientific name
Solanum triflorum
Family
Solanaceae
Description
Cutleaf nightshade is a hairy plant that grows in a low, mounding form close to the ground or up to about 1½ feet tall. The foliage has an unpleasant odor. It is toxic to humans and animals. Toxicity varies widely, with seedlings, growing tips of plants and green berries being most toxic. Drying does not destroy the toxic alkaloids. Do NOT eat the berries.
Typical plant in disturbed site. Photo by W. Hanson Mazet.
Leaves
One-half inch to 2 inches long, slightly hairy with deep lobes. The lobes can be toothed.
The leaves have deep lobes. Photo by Photos by S. Donaldson.
Stems
Hairy and branched from the base. Flowers are attached to the stems between the leaves.
Flowers
Small, star-shaped flowers are white with five petals and a yellowish center. Flowers occur in clusters of two or three and have a sweet scent. The tomato-like berries are small, green and somewhat striped or marbled in color.
The small, white flowers have a yellow center. Photo by W. Hanson Mazet.
Roots
Grows a taproot.
Native to
North and South America
Where it grows
Cultivated fields and disturbed sites; tolerates dry soil
Life cycle
Annual (sprouts, flowers and dies in a single year)
Reproduction
Reproduces by seed
Seedlings leaves are smooth and have a few coarse teeth. Photo by J. DiTomaso, UCCE.
Control methods
As with all annual plants, successful control relies on preventing seed production.
Mechanical
Dig or pull small patches. Bag and dispose of plants if berries are present. The seeds germinate in the top 1 or 2 inches of soil, so till soils carefully to bury the seeds more deeply.
Cultural
Encourage thick, competitive vegetation.
Biological
No information is available. Grazing should be avoided due to toxicity.
Chemical
Apply broadleaf-selective herbicides such as 2,4-D + dicamba on young plants. Glyphosate may also be effective but is nonselective and can kill or damage other plants, including lawn grasses.
The toxic berries resemble cherry tomatoes, but do not turn red when mature. Photo by Photos by S. Donaldson.
References
DiTomaso, J.M. and E.A. Healy. 2007. Weeds of California and Other Western States. University of California Publication 3488.
Miller, T.W. and R. Parker. 2006. Nightshade: Biology and Control in the Pacific Northwest. Pacific Northwest Extension Publication PNW0588, WSU.
UC Berkeley Jepson Manual. 2012. Solanum triflorum Nutt., UC/JEPS.
USDA Plants profile, Solanum triflorum Nutt., USDA.
Whitson, Tom D. (editor). 2009. Weeds of the West. University of Wyoming, Jackson, Wyoming.