%2C_%CE%95%CF%80%CF%84%CE%B1%CF%80%CF%8D%CF%81%CE%B3%CE%B9%CE%BF%2C_%CE%98%CE%B5%CF%83%CF%83%CE%B1%CE%BB%CE%BF%CE%BD%CE%AF%CE%BA%CE%B7%2C_05-06-2021.jpg&width=800)
silverleaf nightshade
ExplorePlants
silverleaf nightshade
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Silverleaf nightshade is a plant with beautiful silver leaves and purple flowers. It grows in sunny places and can be found in fields and gardens.
Habitat: Grasslands
Appearance
The silverleaf nightshade has striking star-shaped flowers, usually purple or blue, sometimes white, with bright yellow centers. Its leaves are covered in dense, silvery-white hairs, giving them a distinct metallic sheen. This plant also features sharp, yellow-orange prickles along its stems and leaf veins.
KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilySolanaceaeGenusSolanum
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Snaps
31
Interesting facts
Even tiny pieces of its roots can grow into a whole new plant, making it a super persistent survivor!
Its silvery leaves act like tiny mirrors, reflecting sunlight to help it stay cool and conserve water.
Silverleaf nightshade can produce up to 2,000 seeds from just one plant in a single season!
Wow! The berries of silverleaf nightshade change from green to yellow, looking like tiny, poisonous tomatoes!
Special abilities
Ability
Prickly Protector
Silverleaf nightshade has sharp prickles that deter hungry animals from munching on its leaves and stems.
Ability
Deep-Rooted Survivor
This plant has a very deep taproot that helps it find water and nutrients even in dry, harsh environments.
Ability
Seed Spreader
Its berry-like fruits are filled with many seeds, helping it spread quickly and grow in new places.
Measurements & details
- Height
- 30-90 cm
- Spread
- 45-120 cm
- Flower Size
- 2-3 cm
- Bloom Season
- Summer to early fall
- Edible
- No
- Toxicity
- High
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Pollination Method
- Insect
Ecological connections
pollinates
European honey bee
Apis mellifera
Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
eats
Texas potato beetle
Leptinotarsa texana
Larvae and adults feed on the leaves of this plant.
eats
Sweet potato whitefly
Bemisia tabaci
Sucks sap from leaves, potentially transmitting plant viruses.
Traits
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Ornamental
Ornamental plants are cultivated primarily for their aesthetic appeal, enhancing landscapes and gardens with their attractive foliage, flowers, or form.
Shrub
A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
Drought Tolerant
Drought-tolerant plants can survive and flourish in conditions with limited water availability.
Grassland
Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
Pollinator Magnet
Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.
Poisonous
Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact.
Also known as
No aliases listed yet.
Collections
Safety
Danger
3/5 · Moderate
Don't touch or eat plants you find outside unless a grown-up says it's safe.
Frequently Asked Questions
How to identify silverleaf nightshade?
The easiest way to identify silverleaf nightshade is to use the Snappit nature identifier app.
How tall is silverleaf nightshade?
30-90 cm
How wide does silverleaf nightshade spread?
45-120 cm
How big are the flowers on silverleaf nightshade?
2-3 cm
When does silverleaf nightshade bloom?
Summer to early fall
Is silverleaf nightshade edible?
No
Is silverleaf nightshade toxic?
High
What is silverleaf nightshade's lifecycle?
Perennial
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Jun 12, 2026
Mesilla Plazai
Photo attribution
(c) Suanne Pyle, some rights reserved (CC BY)
License: CC BY 4.0 ↗
Image may be shown cropped inside the card frame.
Where to spot
Park32 sightings50 species
Arizona, US
Childs-Irving Hydroelectric Facilities
You might spot Christmas Cholla and California Barrel Cactus.
View guide →
Park37 sightings50 species
Oklahoma, US
Darlington Agency
You might spot Hoary Vervain, Buffalo Gourd, and Pond Slider.
View guide →
Park38 sightings50 species
US
Fort Brown
You might spot Pond Slider, Black-Bellied Whistling-Duck, and Brown Anole.
View guide →
Park37 sightings50 species
New Mexico, US
Mesilla Plaza
You might spot White-Winged Dove and Silverleaf Nightshade.
View guide →
Park45 sightings50 species
New Mexico, US
Old Town Albuquerque
You might spot Duck, Greater Roadrunner, and American Robin.
View guide →
Park38 sightings50 species
Oklahoma, US
Quartz Mountain Nature Park
You might spot Lace Hedgehog Cactus and Star Cloak Fern.
View guide →
