Blecker, L., Creech, E., Dick, J., Gephart, S., Hefner, M., Kratsch, H., Moe, A., Schultz, B. 2020, Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Silverleaf nightshade, Extension, University of Nevada, Reno, Field Guide

Stem

1-3 ft. tall, branched and densely covered with short hairs; sometimes covered with red to yellow spines less than 0.2 in. long

Photo of silverleaf nightshade plant with yellow berries.

Leaves

Alternate; oval to lance-shaped and 3-6 in. long with wavy or lobed edges (margins); usually NO spines on leaf veins; covered with tiny hairs that are star-shaped with magnification; gives the plant a gray or silvery appearance

Flower

Star-shaped, 0.75-1.5 in. diameter, purple to blue with 5 petals and yellow stamens; usually 3-5 flowers clustered on stalks at tips of branches
Berries are round, shiny, yellow, 0.25-0.5 in. diameter and resemble tiny tomatoes

Root

Deep, creeping root system

Other

Often infests rangeland, roadsides, waste areas and crop fields; native to North America; known to occur in Clark, Elko and Nye counties
Perennial; reproduces by seeds and roots
Toxic to livestock and humans
Also known as white horsenettle

Control

Repeated hand-digging can be effective; DO NOT use tillage, mowing or grazing
Apply 2,4-D, aminopyralid, dicamba, or glyphosate to young, actively growing plants; imazapyr to actively growing plants; picloram at full flower

Learn more about the author(s)

Heidi Kratsch

Also of Interest:


A Northern Nevada Homeowner’s Guide to Identifying and Managing Cutleaf Nightshade This fact sheet contains information on cutleaf nightshade to help homeowners identify and manage the plant. Learn about each part of the plant and the controls methods to maintain the plant. Donaldson, S. and Hanson Mazet, W. 2012, Extension \| University of Nevada, Reno, FS-13-12

Nevada Noxious Weed Field Guide – Silverleaf nightshade