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

A number of herbicides are available to control hairy night shade. For herbicide recommendations for specific grain rotations and weeds in Montana, please see the MSU Herbicide Chooser Tool.

Examples of herbicides that can be used to manage hairy nightshade

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

Herbicide Active Ingredient trade name	Mode of Action	Product per Acre	Application Time or Growth Stage
Alfalfa
Imazethpyr	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS
*Pursuit		3 - 6 ounces	Apply to seedling alfalfa at the 2nd trifoliate stage or established alfalfa before the weed has reached 3 to 4 inches tall.
Corn
Carfentrazone	Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)
*Aim EW		0.8 ounce	Apply to emerged weeds from 30 days before planting to the 8 leaf collar growth stage of corn. Weeds should be less than 4 inches tall and actively growing.
Peas and Lentils
Imazamox	Inhibition of acetolacetate synthase ALS
*Raptor		4 ounces	Apply post emergence when weeds are 3 inches tall and actively growing and peas have at least 3 pairs of leaves but before the bloom stage.
Grass Grown for Seed
Clopyralid; 2,4-D	Action like indole acetic acid (synthetic auxins)
*Curtail		2 - 4 pints	Apply to well established grass prior to boot stage. Weeds should be actively growing.
Small Grains
Carfentrazone	Inhibition of protoporphyrinogen oxidase (PPO)
*Aim EW		1.5 - 2 ounces	Apply to actively growing weeds less than 4 inches tall prior to jointing in small grains.

The information herein is supplied with the understanding that no discrimination is intended and that listing of commercial products, necessary to this guide, implies no endorsement by the authors or the Extension Services of Nebraska, Colorado, Wyoming or Montana. Criticism of products or equipment not listed is neither implied nor intended. Due to constantly changing labels, laws and regulations, the Extension Services can assume no liability for the suggested use of chemicals contained herein. Pesticides must be applied legally complying with all label directions and precautions on the pesticide container and any supplemental labeling and rules of state and federal pesticide regulatory agencies. State rules and regulations and special pesticide use allowances may vary from state to state: contact your State Department of Agriculture for the rules, regulations and allowances applicable in your state and locality.

References

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