Solanum nigrum
Black NightshadeErect or spreading herb or short-lived perennial shrub to 1 m high, dark green or purple-green, pubescent with glandular and simple hairs; prickles absent. Leaves ovate, mostly 4–13 cm long, 2–7 cm wide, apex acute or acuminate, base truncate to cuneate, margins entire or shallowly lobed, concolorous, both surfaces sparsely pubescent to glabrescent; petiole 1–3(–7) cm long. Inflorescences simple, 4–12-flowered; peduncle 1–2 cm long, deflexed in fruit. Flowers on pedicels to 10 mm long; calyx 1.5–2.2 mm long, lobes triangular, 0.3–1.2 mm long; corolla stellate, 8–12 mm diam., white, lobes ovate to oblong; anthers c. 2 mm long. Berry globose, 6–8(–11) mm diam., dull black or purple-black; seeds 1.8–2.2 mm long, fawn; stone-cell granules rarely present. Flowers throughout the year but mostly spring and summer.
LoM, MuM, Wim, GleP, Brid, VVP, VRiv, MSB, RobP, MuF, GipP, OtP, WaP, Gold, CVU, GGr, DunT, NIS, EGL, EGU, WPro, HSF, HNF, OtR, Strz, MonT, HFE, VAlp. Also naturalised WA, SA, NT, Qld, NSW, ACT, Tas. Native to Europe but now a cosmopolitan weed. Widespread throughout much of the state often near habitation or cultivation.
Jeanes, J.A. (1999). Solanaceae. In: Walsh, N.G.; Entwisle, T.J., Flora of Victoria Vol. 4, Cornaceae to Asteraceae, pp. 332–365. Inkata Press, Melbourne.
