Greenspot Nightshade
Solanum douglasii
Greenspot nightshade is a perennial herb, or subshrub, approximately two meters in height. The slender, branching stems have a light coating of short white hairs. The dark green leaves, up to 9 cm long, are smooth with softly toothed edges. The star-shaped, white flowers, about 2 cm wide, grow in sparse clusters. The five petals, which circle the protruding yellow pollen antlers, are often green near the base. The dark blue-black berries are up to a millimeter wide.
Basic Information
Member of the Solanaceae, or nightshade, family
Closely related to Blue Witch Nightshade
Perennial herb or subshrub
Habitat
Native to the southwestern United States in Arizona, California, Louisiana, New Mexico and Texas, and northern Mexico
Found in scrub and woodland habitats, along the coast and in chaparral ecosystems
Ecological Role
The berries are eaten by many species of birds and small mammals
Reproduction
Blooms in from March to June
Alternative Names
Douglas' Nightshade, white nightshade
Historical Uses
Tribes such as the Cahuilla and Luiseno used the berry juice as an medicinal eyewash
Used as an eyewash for sore, infected, or inflamed eyes, pink eye, and eye strain
Used to improve older people’s vision
The dark berry was also used as a dye for tattooing
The Luiseno used the leaves as greens
Additional Information
The whole plant, with the exception of the berries, is extremely poisonous, containing high levels of the glyco-alkaloid solanine
Although some native tribes ate the leaves, do not attempt to consume them, as safe preparation is unknown
