Divine nightshade (Solanum nigrescens, Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 12(1):140. 1845)

Family: Solanaceae

Author: M.Martens & Galeotti

Bibliography: Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles 12(1):140. 1845

Year: 1845

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Solanum

Vegetable: False

Observations: SE. U.S.A. to Caribbean, Mexico to Guyana and Bolivia

Description

The Divine Nightshade, scientifically known as Solanum nigrescens, is a fascinating and widely distributed plant species belonging to the Solanaceae family. This botanical marvel has an extensive geographical range, flourishing from the southeastern United States down through the Caribbean and extending through Mexico to regions as far south as Guyana and Bolivia.

First described in 1845 by the botanists M. Martens and Galeotti, with its initial publication in the Bulletin of the Royal Academy of Sciences of Brussels (Bull. Acad. Roy. Sci. Bruxelles), the Divine Nightshade has captured the interest of many plant enthusiasts and researchers. The reference noted in the historical records, precisely documented in volume 12, issue 1, page 140, underscores its longstanding recognition in botanical literature.

This plant is a member of the Solanaceae family, a diverse group known for including both edible and toxic species. The Divine Nightshade, with its often intriguing and potentially overlooked qualities, contributes to the captivating diversity within this family. Understanding the ecology and distribution of Solanum nigrescens aids in appreciating the plant’s role in its native habitats, where it interacts with local flora and fauna.

Ecologists and botanists have long studied the plant’s distribution across various landscapes, noting its adaptability and role in local ecosystems. Whether found in the wild expanses of the southeastern United States or within the vibrant ecosystems of the Caribbean and South America, the Divine Nightshade remains a plant of significant interest both scientifically and horticulturally.

In essence, the Divine Nightshade stands as a testament to the richness of plant biodiversity within the Solanaceae family and continues to be a subject of interest from an ecological and historical perspective. Its significant presence across such a vast geographical range highlights the extraordinary adaptability and resilience of this species.

Common Names

Eng: divine nightshade
En: Divine nightshade, Coastal-dune Nightshade, Slender nightshade
Fr: Morelle faux chénopode, Morelle sublobée

Synonyms

• Solanum jahnii (Bitter ex Pittier)
• Solanum nigrum var. nigrescens ((M.Martens & Galeotti) Kuntze)
• Solanum purpuratum (Bitter)
• Solanum nigrum f. floribundum (Hassl.)
• Solanum nigrum subsp. chacoense (Hassl.)
• Solanum nigrum var. dillenii ((Schult.) A.Gray)
• Solanum nodiflorum var. puberulum (Dunal)
• Solanum costaricense (Heiser)
• Solanum maioranthum (L.B.Sm. & Downs)
• Solanum approximatum (Bitter)
• Solanum maracayuense (Bitter)
• Solanum subelineatum (Bitter)
• Solanum oligospermum (Bitter)
• Solanum nigrum var. amethystinum (Kuntze)
• Solanum pulchrilobum var. longepetiolatum (Parodi)
• Solanum pulchrilobum var. paucilobum (Bitter)
• Solanum durangoense (Bitter)
• Solanum prionopterum (Bitter)
• Solanum pruinosum var. phyllolophum (Bitter)
• Solanum sublineatum (Bitter)
• Solanum caribaeum (Dunal)
• Solanum crenatodentatum var. ramossissium (Dunal)
• Solanum gollmeri (Bitter)
• Solanum rojasii (Chodat)
• Solanum nigrum f. longepetiolatum (Hassl.)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Bahamas (native)
• Belize (native)
• Bolivia (native)
• Cayman Is. (native)
• Colombia (native)
• Costa Rica (native)
• Cuba (native)
• Dominican Republic (native)
• Ecuador (native)
• El Salvador (native)
• Florida (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Guatemala (native)
• Guyana (native)
• Haiti (native)
• Honduras (native)
• Jamaica (native)
• Leeward Is. (native)
• Louisiana (native)
• Mexico Central (native)
• Mexico Gulf (native)
• Mexico Northeast (native)
• Mexico Northwest (native)
• Mexico Southeast (native)
• Mexico Southwest (native)
• Mississippi (native)
• Nicaragua (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Panamá (native)
• Peru (native)
• Puerto Rico (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Texas (native)
• Trinidad-Tobago (native)
• Venezuela (native)
• Windward Is. (native)
• Brazil South (introduced)
• Hawaii (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Tyhjä Luut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 30, 2022 by Luca Love Photo (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 8, 2022 by silva Falcó (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken Apr 6, 2021 by Tyhjä Luut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 5, 2022 by Joshua Jebin (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-sa)

Leaf

Taken Sep 11, 2022 by Tyhjä Luut (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 23, 2022 by Ilaria Mosti (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Armando Soto (cc-by-nc-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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2930275)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:239356-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Solanum nigrescens M. Martens & Galeotti)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Shrub, Forb/herb, Subshrub

Growth