View source for Solanum ptycanthum

{{Taxobox
| color = lightgreen
| name = ''Solanum ptycanthum''
| regnum = [[Plant]]ae
| divisio = [[Magnoliophyta]]
| classis = [[Magnoliopsida]]
| ordo = [[Solanales]]
| familia = [[Solanaceae]]
| genus = ''[[Solanum]]''
| species = '''''S. ptycanthum'''''
| binomial = ''Solanum ptycanthum''
| binomial_authority = [[Dun.]]
}}

'''''Solanum ptycanthum''''', '''eastern black nightshade''' or '''West Indian nightshade''', is an [[Annual plant|annual]] or occasionally a [[perennial]] in the [[Solanaceae]] or [[Nightshade]] Family.  The is 15-60 cm tall, and is much branched. All parts of the plant contain [[solanine]], and are poisonous.  The main symptom of poisoning is [[gastrointestinal irritation]].

The leaves of Eastern black nightshade are triangular to elliptic.  The stems are circular, and sometimes slightly hairy.  The flowers are small, white, and star-shaped.  They are located in small [[umbel]]s of 5-7.  The flowers ripen into glossy, black [[berries]], each 10 mm in diameter and containing between 50 and 100 seeds.  The fruits are ''not'' poisonous, which allows [[birds]] to eat and disperse the seeds.

== Habitat ==
Eastern black nightshade grows in landscapes, and most [[agriculture|crops]].  It is most likely to be found growing near crops of related species such as [[tomato]]es and [[potato]]es.  It can grow on sandy and poor [[soil]], but prefers fertile and cultivated soil types.  Eastern black nightshade is found principally in the [[Eastern United States]].

== References ==
* Richard H. Uva, Joseph C. Neal and Joseph M. Ditomaso, ''Weeds of The Northeast'', (Ithaca, NY: Cornell University Press, 1997), Pp. 318-319.

[[Category:Solanum]]
[[Category:Poisonous plants]]