Solanum elaeagnifolium
Solanum jamaicense
horse nettle, silver-leaf nightshade, white horse-nettle
Jamaican nightshade
petiolate;
petiole 1–5 cm;
blade simple, lanceolate to oblong, 5–15 × 0.5–3 cm, margins undulate, subentire to sinuate or shallowly lobed, lobe margins entire, base truncate to cuneate.
petiolate or sessile;
petiole to 1 cm;
blade simple, rhombic, 4–13 × 3–8 cm, margins entire or with 2–5 shallow lobes per side, lobe margins entire, base cuneate and decurrent.
extra-axillary, unbranched, 3–5(–7)-flowered, 3–5 cm.
extra-axillary, unbranched, 5–15-flowered, 1–3 cm.
1–3 cm in flower, reflexed and 1–3 cm in fruit.
0.5–1 cm in flower, 1–1.5 cm in fruit.
radially symmetric;
calyx not accrescent, unarmed or with sparse prickles, 5–10 mm, densely silvery-stellate-pubescent, lobes linear-lanceolate;
corolla pale to deep blue or violet, rarely white, pentagonal-stellate, 2–3(–3.5) cm diam., with abundant interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers narrow and tapered, 6–9 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores;
ovary glabrous to densely stellate-pubescent.
radially symmetric;
calyx not accrescent, unarmed, 2–7 mm, moderately to densely stellate-pubescent, hairs long-stalked, lobes linear;
corolla white, stellate, 1–2 cm diam., without interpetalar tissue;
stamens equal;
anthers narrow and tapered, 3.5–5 mm, dehiscent by terminal pores;
ovary glabrous to very sparsely glandular-puberulent.
yellow to orange, drying brown or black, globose, 0.5–1.5 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
bright shiny red to orange, globose, 0.4–1.2 cm diam., glabrous, without sclerotic granules.
yellowish, flattened, 3–5 × 2–4 mm, minutely pitted.
yellow, flattened, 1–1.5 × 0.5–1 mm, minutely pitted and ridged.
= 24, 48, 72.
= 24.
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Solanum jamaicense
Solanum elaeagnifolium has a disjunct native distribution. It occurs in arid regions of the southwestern United States and Mexico and also in Argentina, Chile, Paraguay, and Uruguay. North American plants are diploid, whereas those in Argentina are diploid, tetraploid, or hexaploid. It is invasive and considered a noxious weed in 21 states in the flora area as well as in many tropical and subtropical regions worldwide. It is toxic to livestock and can form large, rhizomatous patches that are difficult to eradicate.
A white-flowered form has been recognized as Solanum elaeagnifolium forma albiflorum Cockerell.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
Solanum jamaicense is thought to have been spread to Florida by birds that eat the bright red berries. It was first seen in the state in 1930 and, although locally invasive in hammocks of central Florida, has not become a widespread pest.
(Discussion copyrighted by Flora of North America; reprinted with permission.)
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PNW Herbaria 
WildflowerSearch
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