Silverleaf nightshade (Plants of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque)

Silverleaf nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Summary ⁶

Solanum elaeagnifolium, commonly known as silverleaf nightshade, silver-leaved nightshade, prairie berry, silverleaf nettle, and white horsenettle, among others. It is a perennial plant with stems that are covered with nettle-like prickles.

Botanical Information ⁷

The silverleaf nightshade is a very magnificent flower. It has a purple, 5 lobed flower that ripens into yellow, round fruit. The stems are covered with sharp prickles. It can grow up to 3 feet tall and its roots can grow as deep as 10 feet.

I have seen this plant frequently in the New Mexico lands. On our trip to the South Valley I found plenty and truthfully their bright vibrant purple colors are very eye appealing. As I tried to take off the flower from the plant a spike poked me which is underneath the flower and has many all around as if it was a rose. I’ve also seen them around El Bosque near the riverside, as I walked around for a photo shoot. This shows how this astonishing plant is very common around New Mexico since it is seen mostly all around.

Ecological Information ⁸

It is native to the Southwestern region of what is now called the United States, however, it has become widely established, and considered weedy, throughout much of North America. It grows well in highly disturbed and sandy soils, can outcompete many agricultural species, and is difficult to control.

Ethnobotanical Information ⁹

While silverleaf nightshade classifies as toxic and poisonous to both cattle and humans, it has many recorded medicinal and culinary uses. The Zuni would chew the taproot to soothe toothaches. In Sonora, Mexico where it was known as "buena mujer" by folk healers, silverleaf nightshade was used to treat "fits of sneezing." The seeds contain a considerable amount of rennet and have been used by the Navajo, Pima, and Cochiti to make cheese. While it can be a useful plant, it can cause stomach pains, headaches, dizziness, emesis, and arrhythmia. The Kiowa people would mix the leaves with animal brains to stain deer hides. (Note: Ethnographic reports often lack important contextual information and relevant traditional ecological knowledge.)

References ⁸

“Silverleaf Nightshade.” South Texas Plains, www.texasbeyondhistory.net/ethnobot/images/silverleaf.html.
http://naeb.brit.org/uses/species/3720/
https://rangeplants.tamu.edu/plant/silverleaf-nightshade/
Bosque Field Guide
Cartron, Lightfoot, Mygatt, Brantley, Lowrey. (2008). A Field Guide to the Plants and Animals of the Middle Rio Grande Bosque. (p. 100). New Mexico, University of New Mexico Press.

About the Author ⁹

Student author(s)*: Mayra M. from Atrisco Heritage High School

*The entries in this field guide have been edited by Yerba Mansa Project staff to ensure that they contain quality, fact-checked content and standardized formatting. https://yerbamansaproject.org/

Sources and Credits

(c) ellen hildebrandt, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), uploaded by ellen hildebrandt
(c) CameliaTWU, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-ND), https://www.flickr.com/photos/cameliatwu/10894698686/
(c) Bill Dodd, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC), https://www.flickr.com/photos/85472330@N00/9670080040/
(c) Mauricio Mercadante, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC-SA), https://www.flickr.com/photos/mercadanteweb/15439308352/
(c) Dick Culbert, some rights reserved (CC BY), https://www.flickr.com/photos/92252798@N07/8691859122/
Adapted by caseynm from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) Wikipedia, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA), http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Solanum_elaeagnifolium
Adapted by Hannah from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)
Adapted by albuquerqueherbalism from a work by (c) smiller33, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA)

More Info

iNat Map

Berry	yellow
Color	purple
Type	herb

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