Question: Does common nightshade (Solanum nigrum) have both white and purple/yellow flowers? I want to thank you all for your excellent …
-
Question
Does common nightshade (Solanum nigrum) have both white and purple/yellow flowers? I want to thank you all for your excellent "full" key. It doesn't keep me from consulting you, and it is a great help!
Answer
Dear DavidBlair, good afternoon. The two plants in your image are different species. The one with white flowers may be Solanum carolinense, but I can't see enough of it to determine that. The one with purple flowers is Solanum dulcamara. Solanum nigrum is a very rare introduction--most collections labeled as such are actually Solanum ptycanthum (eastern black nightshade). Feel free to email me anytime at ahaines[at]newenglandwild.org if you want a longer discussion of the species involved.
