Silverleaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Weed Description
A perennial from rhizomes with distinctive silver or grayish leaves and purple to blue flowers. Silverleaf nightshade is primarily a weed of agronomic crops, pastures, hay fields, and roadsides that is distributed throughout the southeastern United States.

Seedlings
Cotyledons are linear and covered with hairs. Stems below the cotyledons (hypocotyls) are covered with hairs and often purple-tinged.

Leaves
Arranged alternately along the stem, linear to oblong in outline, ranging from 2 to 6 inches in length. Leaves are covered with star-shaped hairs and have a silver to grayish cast.

Stems
Stems may reach as much as 3 1/3 feet in height. Stems are branching and usually have spines. Stems also have a silver to grayish cast and are covered with star-shaped hairs.

Flowers
Consist of purple to blue petals and a yellow center (anthers) that collectively resemble a star. Flowers occur in clusters at the ends of stems.

Fruit
A round berry, approximately 1/2 to 3/4 inch in diameter. Berries are green when immature and turn yellow to brown with maturity.

Roots
Fibrous roots with rhizomes.

Identifying Characteristics
The grayish or silvery cast that is typical of the leaves and stems of silverleaf nightshade helps to distinguish this weed from most others.

Office of Programs

University of Missouri

Silverleaf Nightshade

Solanum elaeagnifolium