Solanum douglasii
Greenspot nightshade
Photo by Chez Brungraber
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Solanum douglasii (Greenspot nightshade) is a native California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Key feature: green throat markings and persistent black fruits.
Greenspot nightshade is a native perennial herb found in southern Northern Coast, Tehama, Central Western, Southwestern California, and Desert Mountains regions in dry scrub, woodland, and riparian areas at elevations below 1,000 meters. Flowering nearly all year, this plant produces white to lavender flowers with a green to yellow throat, approximately 13 to 15 millimeters in diameter. Growing up to 2 meters tall with much-branched stems covered in short, curved white hairs, it forms a dense, sprawling habit. Its leaves are ovate, 1 to 5 centimeters long, ranging from entire to coarsely irregularly toothed. The fruit is a dull black spherical berry, 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter, which persists on the plant when ripe.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species. Key feature: green throat markings and persistent black fruits.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry scrub, woodland, riparian areas
Elevation: < 1000 m
California counties: Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, San Diego, Kern, Riverside, San Joaquin, Mendocino, Monterey, San Mateo, Santa Cruz, Inyo, Imperial, Marin, Santa Clara, Humboldt, San Francisco, San Benito
Outside California: to Texas, Mexico, Central America, West Indies
Bloom period
Solanum douglasii blooms +- all year.
How to tell it apart
vs Lycianthes: Solanum anthers open by pores at tips; Lycianthes anthers split lengthwise.; vs Physalis: Solanum lacks papery lantern around fruit; Physalis has distinctive inflated calyx covering the berry.; vs Phacelia: Solanum has yellow anther cone; Phacelia has protruding stamens and coiled flower clusters.; vs Capsicum: Solanum has rotate star flowers; Capsicum has flowers with spreading petals not forming flat star.; vs Salvia: Solanum has 5 stamens forming yellow cone; Salvia has 2 stamens and square stems.
Frequently asked questions
Is Solanum douglasii native to California?
Yes. Solanum douglasii is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Solanum douglasii bloom?
Solanum douglasii blooms +- all year.
Where in California does Solanum douglasii grow?
Solanum douglasii occurs in Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Ventura, Santa Barbara, San Luis Obispo, Orange, San Diego, Kern and other counties, at elevations of < 1000 m.
What plant family does Solanum douglasii belong to?
Solanum douglasii is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
What habitat does Solanum douglasii grow in?
Solanum douglasii grows in Dry scrub, woodland, riparian areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.