American Nightshade, American black nightshade

Solanum americanum

Physical Characteristics

Solanum americanum is a ANNUAL growing to 1 m (3ft 3in). The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.

Distribution

S. America.

Habitats

Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit Leaves Edible Uses: Young leaves - cooked. The leaves contain about 6990mg of beta carotene per 100g[173]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity. Fruit - cooked. It should be used only when fully ripe[173]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity.

Medicinal Uses

None known

Known Hazards

Although no specific mention of the leaves being toxic has been seen for this species, it belongs to a genus where many if not all the members have poisonous leaves. The immature fruit is poisonous[173].