HPIPM:Hairy nightshade

Taxonomy

Domain	Eukarya
Kingdom	Plantae
Phylum	Magnoliophyta
Class	Magnoliopsida
Superorder	Asteranae
Order	Solanales
Family	Solanaceae
Genus	Solanum

Scientific Name

Solanum physalifolium

Scientific Name Synonyms

Solanum sarrachoides

Common Name

hairy nightshade

Hairy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides)

Author: The Colorado Department of Natural Resources, Colorado State Parks, and Colorado Natural Areas Program - in partnership with the Division of Plant Industries in the Colorado Department of Agriculture.

Adapted from Appendix 4: Profiles of Colorado State-Listed Noxious Weeds, page 263 by Marjolein Schat, Montana State University

Identification and Life Cycle

airy nightshade (Solanum sarrachoides (L.) Sendtner) also known as Solanum physalifolium Rusby is an annual plant in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). Another common name for hairy nightshade is hoe nightshade. Seedlings have leaves with numerous fine short hairs and wavy edges. Stems reach 12 to 24 inches in height and are freely branching. Stems are light green, round or slightly angular and have glandular hairs. Leaves are alternate, egg shaped (ovate), tapered to the tip, and are covered with glandular hairs. Leaves may feel sticky when handled. Flowers resemble those of potatoes and tomatoes; have five petals and an enlarging green calyx. The fruits are greenish to yellowish and calyx cups the lower half as the fruits mature.

Habitats

Hairy nightshade grows in a variety of habitats. It is often found on disturbed soils such as roadsides, rights-of-way, overgrazed rangeland, as well as cultivated fields, flowerbeds, and vegetable gardens.

Impacts

Seedlings germinate throughout the summer and grow rapidly. This allows hairy nightshade to compete with many crops. Hairy nightshade berries can become mixed with harvested commodities, decreasing crop quality. Plants can also form a sticky mass that can block combine screens and rotors. Hairy nightshade plants, and the berries in particular, also contain toxic alkaloids, and have been reported to be poisonous to cattle, sheep, pigs, ducks, and chickens.

Biology and Ecology

Hairy nightshade reproduces by seed. Seeds begin to germinate in the spring and continue to germinate through the summer. Flowering begins around mid-June and berries mature four to five weeks later. Full sunlight is needed for full flower initiation. Plants are capable of producing 2,500 to 5,000 seeds per plant.

Management Approaches

Since hairy nightshade is an annual plant, an integrated management program should be targeted to prevent seed production and deplete the soil seed bank.

Biological Control

There are no known biological control agents for hairy nightshade.

Mechanical and Cultural Control

Mowing, tillage, and hand pulling over the course of several years can help eradicate black nightshade if done prior to seed set.

Chemical Control

Consult herbicide labels for additional rate, application, and safety information. Additional herbicide information can be found at http://www.greenbook.net.

Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the sponsors of this web site assume no liability for the suggested use of any chemicals noted in the management section. Contact your local pest management personnel for current information on labeled pesticides that can be used for the intended plant disease, insect pest or weed.

References

For more images please visit IPM Bugwood. http://www.ipmimages.org/search/action.cfm?q=hairy%20nightshade