Fauna
Plant · GBIF taxon 2930222

American Black Nightshade

Solanum americanum

Also known as Small-Flowered Nightshade, Glossy Nightshade

American black nightshade is a fast-growing annual or short-lived perennial herb recognized by its clusters of tiny, star-shaped white flowers with vibrant yellow center cones. After blooming, it produces smooth, glossy black berries that hang downward in umbrella-like clusters. Native across warm regions of the Americas, it thrives in disturbed soils, gardens, and forest edges, playing a key ecological role as a food source for birds.

FloweringToxicAnnual
American Black Nightshade reference1 / 7
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Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Key facts
Diet & prey
  • Autotrophic (Photosynthetic)
Predators
  • Frugivorous Birds
  • Herbivorous Insects
ThreatsHerbicide application, intensive agricultural weeding
HabitatsDisturbed ground, fields, forest edges, garden margins, roadsides
Life span1–2 years
Classification
  1. OrderSolanales
  2. FamilySolanaceae
  3. GenusSolanum
  4. SpeciesSolanum americanum
Range & activity
Range data is not available yet.
Safe observation
Interaction riskHigh
  1. Low
  2. Moderate
  3. High
  4. Very high
Why interaction risk is high
Unripe berries and foliage contain toxic alkaloids; wild berries also have dangerous look-alikes.
Why it is dangerous
Contains toxic steroidal glycoalkaloids including solanine, causing gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, and neurological disturbances if ingested.
How to recognize a risky encounter
Recognized by small white five-lobed star flowers with yellow central cones and umbrella-like clusters of glossy black berries.
What to do
Do not eat any plant parts; wear gloves when pulling plants and keep grazing pets away.
Responsible observation
  • Observation: Look for the drooping umbrella-like clusters of shiny black berries and tiny white blooms.
  • Gardening: Pull or contain plants if pets or small children frequent the garden space.
  • Identification: Distinguish from true deadly nightshade by its clustered drooping berries and star blooms.
Related species
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