Solanum furcatum
Forked nightshade
(c) Nolan Exe, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub · Not Native
Solanum furcatum (Forked nightshade) is a non-native California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by coastal habitat, forked inflorescence, and deciduous fruits.
Forked nightshade is a naturalized perennial herb found in coastal bioregions including Northern Coast, Central Coast, and San Francisco Bay Area in open, often disturbed places at elevations below 200 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white to pale violet flowers with greenish yellow throats and midribs, approximately 12 to 20 millimeters in diameter. Growing with reclining stems 50 to 120 centimeters tall, covered in sparse, curved unbranched hairs, the plant has a somewhat sprawling habit. Its leaves are 3 to 10 centimeters long, ovate in shape, and typically entire or with irregular few-toothed edges. The fruit develops in clusters of 6 to 14, spherical and ranging from green to dark purple, with small stone cells that quickly fall away when ripe.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Distinguished by coastal habitat, forked inflorescence, and deciduous fruits.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Open, often disturbed places
Elevation: < 200 m
California counties: Mendocino, San Mateo, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Humboldt, San Diego, Sonoma, Ventura, Santa Clara, Santa Cruz
Outside California: Oregon, Baja California, native to South America
Bloom period
Solanum furcatum blooms May-Oct.
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 furcatum native to California?
No. Solanum furcatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Solanum furcatum bloom?
Solanum furcatum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Solanum furcatum grow?
Solanum furcatum occurs in Mendocino, San Mateo, San Francisco, Contra Costa, Humboldt, San Diego, Sonoma, Ventura and other counties, at elevations of < 200 m.
What plant family does Solanum furcatum belong to?
Solanum furcatum is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
What habitat does Solanum furcatum grow in?
Solanum furcatum grows in Open, often disturbed places.
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.