glossy nightshade

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• American black nightshade
• small-flowered nightshade
• Wild Pepper
• American nightshade
• black nightshade
• glossy nightshade
• small-flower nightshade
• Australian black nightshade
• smallflower nightshade

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Solanum nigrum var. dillenii
• Solanum nigrum var. nodiflorum
• Solanum suffruticosum var. merrillianum
• Solanum nigrum var. aguaraquiya
• Solanum nigrum f. rumphii
• Solanum patulum
• Solanum nigrum var. americanum
• Solanum microspermum
• Solanum minutibaccatum subsp. curtipedunculatum
• Solanum nigrum var. minus
• Solanum nigrum var. oleraceum
• Solanum nigrum var. patulum
• Solanum pachystylum
• Solanum calvum
• Solanum nigrum subsp. aguaraquiya
• Solanum erythrocarpon
• Solanum strictum
• Solanum rumphii
• Solanum tenuiflorum
• Solanum ptychanthum
• Solanum depilatum
• Solanum dillenii
• Solanum imerinense
• Solanum inconspicuum
• Solanum indecorum
• Solanum inops
• Solanum photeinocarpum
• Solanum pterocaulum
• Solanum quadrangulare
• Solanum sancti-thomae
• Solanum sciaphilum
• Solanum nigrum f. uniflorum
• Solanum nigrum f. nodiflorum
• Solanum nodiflorum
• Solanum amarantoides
• Solanum americanum subsp. nodiflorum
• Solanum americanum var. nodiflorum
• Solanum nigrum subsp. nodiflorum
• Solanum americanum var. patulum
• Solanum curtipes
• Solanum americanum var. odishense
• Solanum nigrum subsp. dillenii
• Solanum nodiflorum var. sapucayense
• Solanum pterocaulum var. aguaraquiya
• Solanum minutibaccatum
• Solanum nodiflorum var. macrophyllum
• Solanum nodiflorum var. petiolastrum
• Solanum nigrum var. pauciflorum
• Solanum nigrum f. grandifolium
• Solanum nigrum f. parvifolium
• Solanum tenellum
• Solanum pterocaulum var. heterogonum
• Solanum nigrum var. heterogonum
• Solanum nodiflorum subsp. nutans
• Solanum nodiflorum var. sativum
• Solanum americanum subsp. nutans
• Solanum merrillianum
• Solanum papilionaceum

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further classified within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae. Finally, its specific taxonomic designation is within the genus Solanum.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical distribution across several distinct regions of the European continent. In Middle Europe, its presence is documented in countries such as Belgium and Germany. Moving toward the southwest, the species can also be found growing in Spain. Its range extends significantly eastward into the territories of East European Russia. Finally, the distribution reaches the Macaronesian islands, specifically including the Canary Islands.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum americanum is characterized by its remarkable adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and a broad altitudinal distribution. This species thrives across a significant elevational gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude environments reaching 3400 m AMSL. Its ecological plasticity is further evidenced by its presence in a wide variety of distinct habitats and biomes. It can be found in anthropized areas (Área Antrópica) as well as in complex natural ecosystems including the Caatinga (strictu sensu), Campo Rupestre, and the Cerrado (lato sensu). Additionally, it occupies several forest types, ranging from lowland settings like Floresta de Várzea and Floresta de Terra Firme to more diverse formations such as Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (Pluvial), and Floresta Ombrófila Mista.

Elevational range max:

3400 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

0 m AMSL

Habitat :

Área Antrópica, Caatinga (stricto sensu), Campo Rupestre, Cerrado (lato sensu), Floresta de Terra Firme, Floresta de Várzea, Floresta Estacional Decidual, Floresta Estacional Semidecidual, Floresta Ombrófila (= Floresta Pluvial), Floresta Ombrófila Mista,

Genetics

The genetics of Solanum americanum are characterized by specific chromosomal configurations that define its cytological profile. The plant exhibits a chromosome number of 12 or 24, depending on the specific lineage or variation being studied, reflecting its complex genomic structure within the Solanaceae family. Furthermore, its genetic makeup is categorized by a ploidy level of 2, indicating that it typically functions as a diploid organism in its standard biological state.

Chromosome number :

12,24

Ploidy :

2

Life history

The life history of Solanum americanum is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental process from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As a therophyte, it maintains its vegetative structure primarily through seeds that survive unfavorable conditions, ensuring the continuation of the species once favorable environmental parameters return. In terms of its foliage and structural habit, the plant is deciduous, shedding its leaves as part of its seasonal cycle. This combination of an annual duration and a therophytic life form allows the species to rapidly colonize disturbed habitats and respond effectively to seasonal shifts in climate.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

therophyte

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum americanum is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb and forb. It is a terrestrial, independent species that does not function as an epiphyte or a parasite. The plant exhibits an erect shoot orientation and is classified as a self-supporting organism rather than a climber or liana. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a mean height of 1 m, though individual specimens vary in size, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.45 m to a maximum of 2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1 m

Plant height min:

0.45 m

Shoot orientation :

erect

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum americanum is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes. The plant's foliage exhibits significant morphological variability, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 12 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width varies from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 4.5 cm, maintaining a mean width of approximately 3.5 cm. Structurally, the plant does not exhibit succulence, maintaining standard leaf tissue density rather than water-storing specialized cells. Additionally, Solanum americanum does not function as a nitrogen fixer, meaning it lacks the symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria required to convert atmospheric nitrogen into usable forms.

Leaf length max:

12 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf width max:

4.5 cm

Leaf width mean:

3.5 cm

Leaf width min:

1 cm

Nitrogen fixer :

no

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Succulence :

no

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum americanum is characterized by a sexual cycle facilitated by biotic pollination syndromes, specifically involving insects. The plant produces violet flowers that range in length from a minimum of 0.3 cm to a maximum of 0.9 cm. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, it relies on these insect pollinators for reproductive success. Following fertilization, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruits classified as berries. These berries are relatively small, with a mean fruit length of 0.7 cm and a mean fruit width of 0.755 cm. The dispersal of the plant is zoochorous, specifically utilizing an endozoochorous mechanism, where seeds are dispersed through the digestive tracts of animals. The seeds themselves are quite small, with a mean length of 2 mm (ranging from 1 mm to 1.5 mm) and a mean mass of approximately 0.000858666666666667 g, with individual seed masses ranging from 0.00023 g to 0.0024 g. Additionally, the seed volume fluctuates between a minimum of 0.52 mm³ and a maximum of 0.71 mm³, with a mean volume of 0.615 mm³. Asexual reproduction is notably absent in this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flower colour :

violet

Flower length max:

0.9 cm

Flower length min:

0.3 cm

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length mean:

0.7 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width mean:

0.755 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Seed length max:

1.5 mm

Seed length mean:

2 mm

Seed length min:

1 mm

Seed mass max:

0.0024 g

Seed mass mean:

0.000858666666666667 g

Seed mass min:

0.00023 g

Seed volume max:

0.71 mm³

Seed volume mean:

0.615 mm³

Seed volume min:

0.52 mm³

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Solanum americanum has 2 reported plant parts identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Journal of medicinal food
2. Journal of food and drug analysis
3. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Fruit

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Chemicals

Solanum americanum has 15 reported phytochemicals identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include CHLOROGENIC ACID, 3-Indolecarboxylic acid, 4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID, Corchorifatty Acid B, Flavonoids.

CHLOROGENIC ACID

1. Journal of food and drug analysis
2. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

3-Indolecarboxylic acid

1. Fitoterapia

4-HYDROXYBENZOIC ACID

1. Fitoterapia

Corchorifatty Acid B

1. Fitoterapia

Flavonoids

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Glycosides

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

N-trans-p-Coumaroyloctopamine

1. Fitoterapia

N-trans-p-coumaroyltyramine

1. Fitoterapia

Saponins

1. Journal of food and drug analysis

Solamargine

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Activities

Solanum americanum has 5 reported activities identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant, Anticancer, Antidiabetic, Antiepileptic, Antimicrobial.

Antioxidant

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Anticancer

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Antidiabetic

1. Fitoterapia

Antiepileptic

1. Metabolic brain disease

Antimicrobial

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Conditions

Solanum americanum has 11 reported investigations on conditions identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include type 2 diabetes, inflammation, bacteria, cancer, cutaneous leishmaniasis.

Type 2 diabetes

1. Fitoterapia
2. Evidence-based complementary and alternative medicine : eCAM
3. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Inflammation

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry
2. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Bacteria

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Cancer

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Cutaneous leishmaniasis

1. Revista da Sociedade Brasileira de Medicina Tropical

Epilepsy

1. Metabolic brain disease

Fever

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Fungi

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology

Infections

1. Anti-cancer agents in medicinal chemistry

Liver disease

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Preparations

Solanum americanum has 3 reported preparations identified across 4 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include crude fruit extract, ethyl acetate extract, leafy vegetables.

Crude fruit extract

1. Pakistan journal of pharmaceutical sciences

Ethyl acetate extract

1. Fitoterapia

Leafy vegetables

1. Journal of food and drug analysis