Bluewitch Nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum
Blue nightshade is a rounded, spreading shrub growing 2-3 ft high and about as wide. The greenish, woody branches spread into densely haired stems. The grey-green leaves are smooth, shiny and oval-shaped. The blue to purple flowers have five fused petals, with contrasting yellow pollen stamens in the center. The eggplant-like fruit is dark purple and 12-14 mm in size.
Basic Information
Member of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family
Shrub or sub-shrub
Drought deciduous and sometimes winter deciduous
Loses leaves under specific conditions
Habitat
Native to the California and Oregon Coast Range foothills and valleys, south to Baja California, and east to Arizona
Commonly found in chaparral, sage scrub, grassland, and woodland ecosystems on dry, rocky slopes, canyons and mesas
Ecological Role
Fruit eaten by birds
Flowers frequented by bumblebees and a few other bee species
This is a nectar-less flower, meaning that the pollen provides no immediate energy, so bees foraging on these flowers must intermittently visit nectar-bearing plants
Reproduction
Blooms from March to July
Alternative Names
Bluewitch, Barba De Chivo
Historical Uses
Native people ate the fruit; preparation is undocumented so it is not recommended you try to consume them
Additional Information
The flowers close at night to protect the pollen. This process is called nyctinasty.
All parts of this plant are toxic to humans, as well as a number of animals
