Solanum nigrumCommon name: Black Berry Nightshade
Meaning of name: Solanum was the Latin name used by Pliny for the nightshade. The meaning of nigrum is not known.
Distribution: Found throughout Western Australia.
Remarks: A shrub to 60 centimetres tall, it has white flowers from July to April, followed by dull black or purplish berries. The young fruits may be toxic. Native to Europe.
References: Western Weeds, A Guide to the Weeds of Western Australia. BMJ Hussey, GJ Keighery, J Dodd, SG Lloyd, RD Cousens. 2007.
Western Australian Plant Names and their Meanings, a Glossary. FA Sharr. 1996.
Flora of the Perth Region. NG Marchant, JR Wheeler, BL Rye, EM Bennett, NS Lander, TD Macfarlane. 1987.
The berries of Solanum nigrum are a dull black rather than the shiny black of Solanum americanum.
