Silverleaf Nightshade

Keep Wimberley Beauthiful

Not many wildflowers like to bloom in the heat of the summer, but Silverleaf Nightshade (Solanum elaeagnifolium) will start blooming in the spring and continue on through to October. Another common name for these plants is Horse Nettle due to the little nettle like prickles found along the stem when someone tries to pick it with bare hands.

There are several species of Horse Nettle with colors ranging from white, to blue. They all have flowers about a centimeter in diameter with five petals that curve backward. The stamens in the center are bright yellow. The whole plant is about one to two feet tall. There are fine hairs covering the slightly lobed leaves giving the leaves a silver appearance.

Silverleaf Nightshade is in the Solanaceae or Potato Family. Cultivated plants in this family include the tomato, potato, eggplants and peppers. If you are familiar with the flowers of these plants you recognize the reflexed petals and yellow protruding stamens.

Silverleaf Nightshade is a perennial native plant that is said to be deer resistant. It does not need to be watered and it reseeds itself readily. The fruit looks like a small tomato, but it is poisonous. Some parts of the country consider it a noxious weed (even calling it tomato weed). I think it is lovely and it is said to do well in flower arrangements.

Native American Indians used the crushed fruit to curdle milk to make cheese. Some tribes used the roots in their medicines for everything from treating snake bites to curing cancer. However, we need to keep in mind that this plant is poisonous. I saw some Silverleaf Nightshades with blue flowers on the walking trail along side of Winter’s Mill Parkway.

Written by Jackie Mattice, Hays County Master Naturalist