Solanum americanum P. Miller. Section: Solanum. clade: Morelloid. American Black Nightshade. Phen: May-Nov (-Apr). Hab: Hammocks, marsh edges, shell middens, disturbed areas. Dist: E. SC (and NC?) south to s. FL, west to e. TX; western North America, Mexico, Central America, South America. Now also widespread in the Old World by introduction.

ID notes: Solanum americanum is an herbaceous or subshrub species in the black nightshade group (the Morelloid clade); it is distinctive among the black-fruited nightshades in its very short anthers, shiny black mature fruits with reflexed calyx lobes, and (0-) 2-4 (-6) sclerotic granules in each fruit.

Origin/Endemic status: Native

Synonymy ⓘ: = Fl6, FNA14, K1, K3, WH3, Knapp et al (2019), Särkinen et al (2018); < Solanum americanum Mill. – F, RAB; >< Solanum americanum Mill. – Tx; > Solanum americanum Mill. var. americanum – Bah; > Solanum americanum Mill. var. nodiflorum (Jacq.) Edmonds – Bah; < Solanum nigrum L. – C, G, S; > Solanum nodiflorum Jacq. – Tx

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Wetland Indicator Status:

• Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FACU (taxonomic lump from wetland indicator species)
• Great Plains: FACU
• Midwest: FACU
• Northcentral & Northeast: FACU (taxonomic split from wetland indicator species)

Heliophily ⓘ: 8