Solanum americanum P. Miller. Section: Solanum. clade: Morelloid. Common name: American Black Nightshade. Phenology: May-Nov (-Apr). Habitat: Hammocks, marsh edges, shell middens, disturbed areas. Distribution: 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, Mo3, 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; Solanum americanum Mill. Basionym: Solanum americanum Mill. 1768
Links to other floras: = Solanum americanum - FNA14
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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
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