Solanum nitidibaccatum
Green nightshade
(c) Joe Potter Butler, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Joe Potter Butler · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Annual · Native
Solanum nitidibaccatum (Green nightshade) is a native California annual in the Solanaceae family, recognized by . Distinguished by shiny fruits and distinctive flower markings.
Green nightshade is a California native annual found in northern coastal, Klamath Ranges, California Ranges, Central Valley, western Central Western, southern Coastal, northern Channel Islands, and eastern Sierra Nevada regions in disturbed areas at elevations up to 2,400 meters. Flowering from May to October, this plant produces white flowers with yellow and purple-brown to black markings, approximately 5 to 10 millimeters in diameter with reflexed lobes. Growing with decumbent stems 10 to 90 centimeters tall, covered in spreading glandless and sticky-glandular hairs. Its leaves are 2 to 6 centimeters long, ovate in shape, with entire to irregular-toothed or shallowly lobed edges. The fruit is shiny, ranging from green to purple-brown, 5 to 10 millimeters long, containing 13 to 24 yellow to brown seeds.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 23 sympatric species. Distinguished by shiny fruits and distinctive flower markings.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Disturbed areas
Elevation: < 2400 m
California counties: Ventura, Riverside, Siskiyou, Los Angeles, Modoc, Mono, San Diego, Santa Barbara, San Francisco, Inyo, San Mateo, Tuolumne, San Bernardino, Orange, Santa Clara, San Luis Obispo, Kern, San Joaquin, Stanislaus, Butte, Colusa, Yuba, Lassen, Humboldt, Amador, Sonoma, Monterey, Alameda, Alpine, Trinity, Mendocino, Fresno, Yolo, Sutter, Plumas, Sacramento, El Dorado, Shasta
Outside California: to Canada, eastern United States, Mexico, also South America, introduced in Europe, Africa, New Zealand, Australia
Bloom period
Solanum nitidibaccatum 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 nitidibaccatum native to California?
Yes. Solanum nitidibaccatum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Solanum nitidibaccatum bloom?
Solanum nitidibaccatum blooms May-Oct.
Where in California does Solanum nitidibaccatum grow?
Solanum nitidibaccatum occurs in Ventura, Riverside, Siskiyou, Los Angeles, Modoc, Mono, San Diego, Santa Barbara and other counties, at elevations of < 2400 m.
What plant family does Solanum nitidibaccatum belong to?
Solanum nitidibaccatum is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
What habitat does Solanum nitidibaccatum grow in?
Solanum nitidibaccatum grows in Disturbed areas.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-06
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.