Search California Native Plants

14 total results

American Black Nightshade

Solanum americanum

American nightshade (Solanum americanum) is an annual or short-lived perennial plant native to the Americas, ranging from the southern and western United States to Paraguay and Peru. It belongs to the nightshade family (Solanaceae) and thrives in a variety of habitats, making it a versatile choice for native gardens.

The plant features small, delicate flowers that are typically white, occasionally tinged with light purple, adding subtle beauty to the landscape. Its shiny black berries provide a striking visual contrast and serve as a vital food source for birds and mammals, contributing to its exceptional wildlife value. Pollinators are also attracted to its blooms, enhancing biodiversity in your garden.

American Nightshade can be used as an accent plant for challenging garden spaces, offering both aesthetic appeal and ecological benefits. However, it’s important to note that all parts of this plant are toxic if ingested, so it should be handled with care, especially in areas frequented by children or pets.

Douglas' Nightshade

Solanum douglasii

Solanum douglasii is a species of nightshade known by the common name greenspot nightshade. It is native to the northern half of Mexico and the southwestern south-central United States. Its habitat includes scrub and woodland. Solanum douglasii is a perennial herb or subshrub approaching two meters in maximum height. The stem is coated in short, white hairs. The leaves may be up to 9 centimeters long and have smooth or toothed edges. The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped array of flowers with star-shaped white corollas up to a centimeter wide. There are generally green spots at the bases of the corolla lobes. The yellow anthers are a few millimeters in length. Flowers may be seen blooming throughout much of the year. The fruit is a spherical berry up to a centimeter wide. Native Americans used the juice of the berries medicinally, and as dye for tattooing.

Brenda Butner Baja Nightshade

Solanum hindsianum 'Brenda Butner'

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Selected for the garden.

Parish's Nightshade

Solanum parishii

Parish's Nightshade (Solanum parishii) is a native shrub in the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family that grows in primarily in two disjunct regions, the mountains and valleys of northern California and the chaparral of southernmost California. It occurs from sea level up to elevations of 6,000 feet. A closely related species is Solanum xanti, and their ranges overlap in the southern counties. There are also several non-native species of Solanum that look very similar. Some are sold under the common name Potato Plant. The flowers of Solanum parishii are small but attractive. As with many other members of this family, the plant is poisonous to humans and some other animals, especially the fruits. Be cautious in using it where children or pets may have access. Due to the poisonous nature of many nightshades, tomatoes (also a member of the Solanaceae) were thought to be equally toxic by many North Americans as late as the early eighteenth century.

Bluewitch Nightshade

Solanum umbelliferum

Bluewitch Nightshade (Solanum umbelliferum) is a native shrub Solanaceae (Nightshade) family that is widespread in California in various habitats and vegetation communities, at elevations from sea level to 5,200 feet. The stems are densely hairy and branched. The leaves are grey-green, elliptical to oval, and typically smooth edged. The flower is blue to purple in color, consisting of five petals fused together, with contrasting yellow anthers. The fruit is a sphere 12-14 mm in size. Its habit is mounding or sometimes vining, often found climbing up through more woody shrubs. All parts of the plant are toxic to people and some animals. However, it is very attractive to insects. If given occasional summer water it will stay leafed-out and may even continue to flower. If allowed to dry it will be summer deciduous. This is a very tough, hardy plant that will survive on neglect.

Indian's Grey Blue Witch

Solanum umbelliferum 'Indian's Grey'

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden from santa Lucia Mountains.

Mt Diablo Blue Witch Nightshade

Solanum umbelliferum 'Mt Diablo'

Spring Frost Blue Witch

Solanum umbelliferum 'Spring Frost'

Grows best in sandy, coarse-grained or other fast draining soil. Prefers sun or part shade in coastal sites, and part shade in inland sites. Selected for the garden.

Indian Gray Nightshade

Solanum umbelliferum var. incanum 'Indian Grey'

Horticultural selection from solanum umbelliferum var. incanum. A small perennial shrub that reaches about 2' and possibly up to 3', 'Indian's Grey' nightshade needs low to moderate water and embraces a spectrum of light conditions, from full sun to part shade. It was discovered in the santa Lucia Mountains of California and is noted to be a shrubbier, denser form than than the original variety, as well as boasting more flowers. 'Indian's Grey' nightshade flowers prolifically in spring and summer, with lots of lavender purple blooms with yellow centers clustered on silvery limbs with leaves of blue green. It has a compact, mounding form, and would be an excellent addition to gardens for native birds, as the flowers turn to shiny black berries in fall. This deciduous native likes well drained soil, but is adaptable in its soil preference, tolerating alkaline soil and clay. Try it on banks and dry borders, or anywhere you'd like a splash of color! .

Catalina Nightshade

Solanum wallacei

Solanum wallacei, also known as Wallace's nightshade, Catalina nightshade, Northern island nightshade, or Wild Tomato, is a perennial plant that produces purple flowers, but otherwise resembles a tomato plant. The foliage and purple-black berries are poisonous. This rare plant is native to canyons and hillsides on Santa Catalina and Guadalupe Islands. It blooms in April and May.

Purple Nightshade

Solanum xanti

Purple Nightshade (Solanum xanti) is a poisonous shrub with deep blue purple flowers blooming from winter through spring. Purple Nightshade has dark green foliage, and the form is loosely spreading or trailing. To promote a bush form, prune leggy branches in late summer or fall.

This plant likes sun to part shade in coastal gardens and shady spots inland. It is very drought tolerant but will tolerate modest summer watering. Though it prefers rocky soil or loam, it will grow in any relatively well drained soil.

It is noted for being deer resistant and hosts numerous moth and butterfly species.
The green berries, though toxic to animals, attract birds.

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