Blackberry Nightshade (Solanum nigrum): Weed management guide for Australian vegetable production

Abstract

Blackberry nightshade can vary widely in its growth form, with stems either erect or spreading and occasionally prostrate. Stems are smooth or very sparsely hairy, becoming woody with age. Plants are usually considerably branched with fully mature (flowering) specimens regularly observed at as little as 10 cm in height. Leaves are elliptic to oval with pointed tips, 3 to 7 cm in length, sometimes edged with coarse irregular teeth and wavy margins, and generally dark green to purple-green in colour. Flowers are white with five petals fused at the base with yellow centres, 8 to 12 mm across. The fruit is between 5 and 13 mm in diameter, a shiny berry that is dark green when initially produced and changing to purple-black when ripe.