Family: Solanaceae
Author: Cav.
Bibliography: Icon. 3: 22 (1795)
Year: 1795
Status: accepted
Rank: species
Genus: Solanum
Vegetable: Unknown
Observations: U.S.A. to Mexico, S. South America
Description
Prairie-berry, scientifically known as Solanum elaeagnifolium, is a perennial herb that belongs to the Solanaceae family. This resilient species is well-distributed across a wide geographical range from the United States to Mexico, extending as far south as parts of South America.
Prairie-berry is easily identifiable by its distinctive silvery foliage, which provides a striking contrast against the often harsh and arid environments it inhabits. The leaves are covered in fine, silvery hairs, giving them a unique appearance that resembles the foliage of an olive tree, which is reflected in its scientific name “elaeagnifolium” derived from “Elaeagnus”.
The plant produces vibrant, star-shaped flowers that are typically purple but can occasionally be white. These flowers develop into small, round berries that transition from green to a shiny yellow or orange as they ripen. Although visually appealing, it is worth noting that the berries and other parts of the plant are toxic if ingested, a common trait among many members of the Solanaceae family.
Aside from its botanical features, Prairie-berry plays a significant ecological role in its native habitats. It is known to thrive in disturbed soils, often colonizing roadsides, fields, and open areas where other plants may struggle to establish. This hardiness makes it both a boon for erosion control and a potential agricultural weed that can be challenging to manage.
Despite its resilience, Prairie-berry requires careful management to balance its ecological benefits against its invasive potential. Its deep root system allows it to survive and regenerate even after attempts at removal, making chemical control and integrated weed management strategies essential for areas where it may become problematic.
The first formal description of Prairie-berry was published in 1795 by botanist Antonio José Cavanilles, making it a long-studied species with an enduring presence in botanical literature. Across its native range, Prairie-berry is a testament to the resilience and adaptive capabilities of flora in arid and semi-arid environments.
Common Names
Ita: morella con foglie d’elaeagnus
Fra: morelle à feuilles de chalef
Eng: silverleaf nightshade, bull-nettle, prairie-berry, silverleaf bitter-apple, silverleaf-nettle, tomato weed, tomato-weed, white horse-nettle, white horsenettle, white nightshade
Heb: solanum zetani, סולנו
Afr: satansbos
Swe: silverskatta, silversolanum
Ell: solano
Spa: trompillo
Deu: ölweidenblättriger nachtschatten
En: Prairie-berry, Silverleaf bitter-apple, Silverleaf nightshade, Silverleaf-nettle, Tomato-weed, Bull-nettle, White horse-nettle, White nightshade, Tomato weed, White horsenettle, Silvery-leaved Nightshade, Silver leaf nightshade
Af: Satansbos
Ar: سجوه زيتية
Ca: Alberginiera borda
Zh: 銀葉茄
Fi: Kilsekoiso
Fr: Morelle à feuilles de Chalef, Morelle jaune
De: Ölweidenblättriger Nachtschatten
El: Σολανόν το ελαιαγνόφυλλον, Solano
He: סולנום זיתני, Solanum zetani, סולנו
It: Morella con foglia d’Elaeagnus, Morella con foglie d’Elaeagnus, Morella con foglie d’eleagno
Nv: Nááʼ łitsooí
Pt-br: Arrebenta-cavalo, Melãozinho-do-campo
Es: Trompillo, Belladona plateada
Sv: Silverskatta, Silversolanum
Zh-tw: 銀葉茄
Synonyms
- Solanum uniflorum (Meyen ex Nees)
- Solanum saponaceum (Hook.)
- Solanum dealbatum (Lindl.)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium var. argyrocroton (Griseb.)
- Solanum roemerianum (Scheele)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium f. albiflorum (Cockerell)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium var. angustifolium (Kuntze)
- Solanum flavidum (Torr.)
- Solanum leprosum (Ortega)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium var. obtusifolium (Dunal)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium f. benkei (Standl.)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium var. grandiflorum (Griseb.)
- Solanum elaeagnifolium var. leprosum ((Ortega) Dunal)
- Solanum texense (Engelm. & Gray)
Distribution
- Alabama (native)
- Argentina Northeast (native)
- Argentina Northwest (native)
- Argentina South (native)
- Arizona (native)
- Arkansas (native)
- California (native)
- Chile Central (native)
- Chile North (native)
- Colorado (native)
- Florida (native)
- Georgia (native)
- Idaho (native)
- Illinois (native)
- Indiana (native)
- Kansas (native)
- Kentucky (native)
- Louisiana (native)
- Maryland (native)
- Mexico Central (native)
- Mexico Gulf (native)
- Mexico Northeast (native)
- Mexico Northwest (native)
- Mexico Southeast (native)
- Mexico Southwest (native)
- Mississippi (native)
- Missouri (native)
- Nebraska (native)
- Nevada (native)
- New Mexico (native)
- North Carolina (native)
- Oklahoma (native)
- Oregon (native)
- Paraguay (native)
- South Carolina (native)
- Tennessee (native)
- Texas (native)
- Uruguay (native)
- Utah (native)
- Washington (native)
- Albania (introduced)
- Algeria (introduced)
- Aruba (introduced)
- Bahamas (introduced)
- Cape Provinces (introduced)
- Cuba (introduced)
- Cyprus (introduced)
- East Aegean Is. (introduced)
- Egypt (introduced)
- Free State (introduced)
- Greece (introduced)
- Gulf States (introduced)
- Hawaii (introduced)
- India (introduced)
- Iran (introduced)
- Kriti (introduced)
- KwaZulu-Natal (introduced)
- Leeward Is. (introduced)
- Morocco (introduced)
- Namibia (introduced)
- Netherlands Antilles (introduced)
- New South Wales (introduced)
- Northern Provinces (introduced)
- Northern Territory (introduced)
- Pakistan (introduced)
- Palestine (introduced)
- Puerto Rico (introduced)
- Queensland (introduced)
- Sinai (introduced)
- South Australia (introduced)
- Tunisia (introduced)
- Victoria (introduced)
- Western Australia (introduced)
Additional Images
Fruit
Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Johan Coetzer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Feb 20, 2020 by Giovanna Giovanna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 8, 2002 by mendes jardel (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2021 by dinkel benjamin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 26, 2018 by Mihajlo Tomić (cc-by-sa)
Flower
Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Mar 25, 2018 by Kayleigh Vanderwerff (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jul 13, 2019 by linnau (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 27, 2019 by Eugene Ljt (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Johan Coetzer (cc-by-sa)
Habit
Taken Feb 20, 2020 by Giovanna Giovanna (cc-by-sa)
Taken Oct 10, 2019 by Johan Coetzer (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 4, 2022 by Trap Hers (cc-by-sa)
Taken Aug 14, 2019 by ioannis nicolis (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2021 by dinkel benjamin (cc-by-sa)
Leaf
Taken Sep 23, 2019 by Mi Mo (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2021 by Saffa Plant Girl (cc-by-sa)
Taken May 14, 2021 by Saffa Plant Girl (cc-by-sa)
Taken Dec 2, 2021 by dinkel benjamin (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 28, 2019 by Adelaida Arti (cc-by-sa)
Bark
Taken Sep 6, 2019 by Manolis Voz (cc-by-sa)
Taken Sep 13, 2021 by Maarten Vanhove (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jun 8, 2022 by Rigo Segura (cc-by-sa)
Taken Jan 27, 2016 by EOL − Nayelli Rivera (cc-by-nc)
Taken May 29, 2019 by Moore Jamie (cc-by-sa)
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.
Other
Taken Aug 15, 2014 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 15, 2019 by Photoflora – Benoit BOCK (©)
Taken Oct 24, 2015 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)
Sources
- WFO (No URL)
- GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2929892)
- POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:819099-1)
- PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav.)