Solanum umbelliferum Eschsch.
Family: Solanaceae

Pertinent Synonyms & Notes (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other synonyms)

none

Pertinent Common Names (particularly those used in California; go to GRIN for other common names)

bluewitch nightshade

Primary Disseminule Types

fruit (not likely to be dispersed directly to grape bunches), seed

Description (diagnostics are in brown)

Fruit a berry with numerous seeds, globose, dull grayish-green turning purple, 12–14 mm in diameter.

Seed ± obovate in outline, typically notched along margin where hilum occurs (this area darker than rest of testa), strongly compressed, cross-section narrowly elliptic to fusiform, (1.6)1.8–2.3 mm long x (1)1.4–1.8 mm wide x 0.4–0.9 mm thick. Surface semiglossy, may be particularly dull or rough when dried bits of the mucilaginous envelope remain; otherwise, surface is reticulate-pitted, with the sinuous cell walls forming a maze of thick, rounded, undulating ridges (may also have striations or appressed hair-like or scale-like cell wall structures on top of the reticulations and interspaces), tan to yellowish-brown, margin sometimes darker.

Hilum marginal, in notch, narrowly elliptic to ovate, ± sunken especially at the larger end of the scar, lighter or darker than testa, 0.6–0.8 mm long.

Similar Species

Compare to Similar Species of Solanum and Similar Species of Lycium & Physalis.

Risk Assessment (codes in yellow or red indicate cause for concern; assessments are current as of mid-2011; click AUQP, NZBORIC, or NZBPI for access to the most recent versions of these databases and possible assessment changes)

AUQP, NZBORIC, NZBPI