Solanum lanceolatum
Orangeberry nightshade, lanceleaf nightshade
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Family: Solanaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Solanum lanceolatum (Orangeberry nightshade) is a non-native California shrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by tall shrub form and orange fruits.
Orangeberry nightshade is a naturalized shrub found in the Central Valley, San Francisco Bay Area, and Southern California Coast in disturbed places at elevations below 945 meters. Flowering from April to August, this plant produces blue-purple flowers approximately 25 to 30 millimeters in diameter with deeply lobed petals. Growing as a shrub or small tree 80 to 500 centimeters tall, it has sparsely distributed brown prickles and stellate hairs. Its lanceolate leaves are 3 to 15 centimeters long, often with wavy margins and occasionally few-lobed near the base. The fruit is a yellow-orange spherical berry about 7 to 15 millimeters in size.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 21 sympatric species. Distinguished by tall shrub form and orange fruits.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Escaped from cultivation, generally disturbed places
Elevation: < 945 m
Outside California: native to Mexico, Central America
Bloom period
Solanum lanceolatum blooms Apr-Aug.
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 lanceolatum native to California?
No. Solanum lanceolatum is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Solanum lanceolatum bloom?
Solanum lanceolatum blooms Apr-Aug.
What plant family does Solanum lanceolatum belong to?
Solanum lanceolatum is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
What habitat does Solanum lanceolatum grow in?
Solanum lanceolatum grows in Escaped from cultivation, generally disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · 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.