Greenspot nightshade facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Greenspot nightshade
Scientific classification
Genus:	Solanum
Species:	douglasii

Solanum douglasii is a species of plant in the family Solanaceae 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.

Description

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.

Uses

Native Americans used the juice of the berries medicinally, and the Luiseño used it as dye for tattooing.

See also

In Spanish: Solanum douglasii para niños