black nightshade

American  

noun

1. a common weed, Solanum nigrum, of the nightshade family, having poisonous leaves, white flowers, and black edible berries.

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black nightshade British  

noun

1. a poisonous solanaceous plant, Solanum nigrum , a common weed in cultivated land, having small white flowers with backward-curved petals and black berry-like fruits

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Etymology

Origin of black nightshade

First recorded in 1810–20

Example Sentences

The plant is part of the black nightshade family and is harmful if eaten, especially its unripened berries or leaves, and can cause nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhea, trembling, paralysis, coma or even death.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 21, 2024

Relatives of the plant, including Solanum ptychanthum or black nightshade, and Solanum carolinense, or Carolina horsenettle, also produce toxic berries and are native to Arkansas.

From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2024

He grows mangoes, tomatoes, citrus, bananas and cucumbers, in addition to popular Kenyan indigenous vegetables such as the black nightshade.

From The Guardian • Mar. 26, 2020

The black nightshade has a variety with yellow berries, and the black color returns in the hybrid.

From Species and Varieties, Their Origin by Mutation by Vries, Hugo de