Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum
White-stemmed nightshade, hoary nightshade
Photo: parent species Solanum umbelliferum · (c) Adam J. Searcy, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Solanaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum (White-stemmed nightshade) is a native California subshrub in the Solanaceae family, recognized by Blue witch var.; hoary gray-green, densely white-canescent with BRANCHED hairs; small leaves 1–3.5 cm.
White-stemmed nightshade is a California native shrub found in dry slopes, arid scrub, woodland, and chaparral, primarily below 1,325 meters elevation. Flowering from March to June and again from October to November, this plant produces pale blue-purple flowers with corollas 15 to 25 millimeters in diameter. Growing as a subshrub up to one meter tall with ascending to erect stems densely covered in white, matted branched hairs, it creates a distinctive silvery-gray appearance. Its leaves are narrowly oblong to lanceolate, 1 to 3.5 centimeters long, with entire margins and a tapered base, contributing to its soft, gray-green herbage. The fruit is pale green to nearly white, measuring 10 to 15 millimeters in diameter.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Blue witch var.; hoary gray-green, densely white-canescent with BRANCHED hairs; small leaves 1–3.5 cm
Habitat and range
Habitat: Dry slopes, arid scrub, woodland, chaparral, sometimes after fire
Elevation: < 1325 m
Bloom period
Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum blooms Mar-Jun, Oct--Nov.
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 umbelliferum var. incanum native to California?
Yes. Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum bloom?
Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum blooms Mar-Jun, Oct--Nov.
What plant family does Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum belong to?
Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum is in the Solanaceae family, genus Solanum.
What habitat does Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum grow in?
Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum grows in Dry slopes, arid scrub, woodland, chaparral, sometimes after fire.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
- Solanum umbelliferum var. obispoense — Obispo nightshade
- Solanum umbelliferum var. spencerae — Parish nightshade
- Solanum umbelliferum var. tenuilobatum — Narrow-lobed nightshade
- Solanum umbelliferum var. umbelliferum — Blue witch nightshade
- Solanum umbelliferum var. wallacei — Island nightshade
- Solanum umbelliferum var. xanti — Purple nightshade
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.