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Solanum americanum

Species category

Weed

Common name

American black nightshade, common purple nightshade, smallflower nightshade

Diagnostic characters

Planting unit

True seedTrue seed:
A mature fertilized ovule consisting of an embryo, with or without and external food reserve (e.g., endosperm) enclosed by the testa.

Shape

LenticularLenticular:
Lens-shaped, circular in outline with convex sides.
 with hilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 point

Size

  • Length 1.5–1.6 mm 
  • Width 1–1.2 mm 
  • Thickness 0.2–0.3 mm 

Color

Light yellow 

Texture

Reticulum is shallow and well organized, especially near the margin.

Other structures

HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 wide and extended beyond margin.

Identification notes

Seed has a fine reticulum. HilumHilum:
The scar on the seed coat at the place of its detachment from the seed stalk (funiculus).
 protrudes out beyond the margin. The seed is very similar to Solanum nigrum.

Noxious weed seed categories

State Noxious Weed: Arizona, Kansas 

AOSA examination list

Not included

Nomenclature

Family

Solanaceae

Valid name

Solanum americanum Mill.

Synonyms

Solanum americanum Mill. var. nodiflorum (Jacq.) Edmonds
Solanum americanum Mill. var. patulum (L.) Edmonds
Solanum caribaeum Dunal
Solanum fistulosum Dunal ex Poir. 
Solanum hermannii Dunal
Solanum linnaeanum Hepper & P.-M. L. Jaeger
Solanum nigrum L. var. americanum (Mill.) O.E. Schulz
Solanum nigrum L. var. virginicum
Solanum nodiflorum Jacq.
Solanum sodomeum L., nom. utique rej.

Solanum americanum. True seeds with a fine reticulum and a hilum that protrudes beyond the margin.
Solanum americanum. True seeds with a fine reticulum and a hilum that protrudes beyond the margin.