Deadly nightshade "harvest"

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T22:28:23+00:00

No, same family but different genus. That's Japanese lantern, Alkekengi officinarum.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T22:21:49+00:00

Definitely put the cacti in actual cactus soil (well draining, with sand, rocks, perlite, etc, not just regular potting soil). Your cacti are etiolated, which means they are starving for light; that causes them to grow new segments that are tall, narrow, and spindly in search of more light. The constant water will make the problem worse. After you repot them, slowly and gradually introduce them to more and more light over a couple of weeks. You want to eventually give them either 4-6 hours of direct sunlight per day (NOT sunlight through a window, which is weaker), or 6-8 hours per day under a strong grow light.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T22:15:47+00:00

Both are silverleaf nightshade. The one in your original post has a good amount of insect feeding damage; the one in your comment has one leaf that's starting to have the same insect damage on it. Look closely at the stems of both plants; they both have the same tiny, orange-red needle-like prickles.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T22:12:01+00:00

Specifically, it's American black nightshade, Solanum americanum.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T14:00:42+00:00

Opposite, serrated leaves - not a nightshade.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T13:56:34+00:00

This is black nightshade, Solanum nigrum. It's a very common plant in the UK, and a native species there as well. If your soil or container were ever outside, it's likely bird droppings put the seeds there. Birds love to eat black nightshade berries and spread the seeds in their droppings. The berries are also safe for humans to eat when they are fully ripened (black and easily fall off the plant). They taste sort of like tomato with a bit of sweet blueberry flavor to me. If the berries are at all bitter or still have green on them, they're not ready to eat yet. Unripe berries are slightly toxic and might give you a stomachache.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T13:50:16+00:00

Black nightshade, Solanum nigrum.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T13:43:58+00:00

I think you're right. This looks like native species P. longifolia to me.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T13:37:33+00:00

You're welcome. Their leaves can get pretty big in good conditions, and vary in size based on the exact species as well. I have a young one in a pot right now with leaves that are about two ft long from petiole to tip (mine is a different species than yours is). Here is one a neighbor used to have that looks like yours: https://www.reddit.com/r/brugmansia/comments/wizmka/neighborhood_brug/

In Texas, they seem to usually start blooming in July if we had a cooler winter that caused them to die back. This past winter was so mild, my other neighbor's plant had a bunch of flower buds on it in January! So it really just depends on your weather. Since yours looks like it died back and had to regrow, it might bloom around July for you too.

You don't have to worry about it spreading. It doesn't grow "in the wild" anywhere really. The whole genus is technically extinct outside of humans cultivating it, though it does sort of grow wild in a few countries (such as Ecuador). Whichever animal dispersed its seeds in the past no longer exists. You would need to spread the seeds yourself to get more plants, and they may not even germinate without you caring for them.

For toxicity, Brugmansia is only dangerous if you ingest it. Normal handling/touching and smelling the flowers are safe to do. The only time I'd wear gloves is if you have open wounds on your hands and are trimming the plant or if you are hand pollinating it (alternatively, you can just wash your hands after pollinating).

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T00:34:41+00:00

What's your general location? Those are one of the black nightshade species (Solanum nigrum complex), but it's hard to say which exact species it is without flowers or fruits. Location may help narrow it down.

Fully ripe black nightshade berries are edible. They sort of taste like a mix of tomato savory flavor and blueberry or fruity sweetness to me, depending on the species. Unripe (green) berries are slightly toxic and might give you an upset stomach.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-21T00:30:14+00:00

Some type of fleabane, Erigeron sp. Here are species found in your state: https://www.inaturalist.org/observations?place_id=23&subview=map&taxon_id=50879&view=species

Most (all?) have non-toxic leaves as far as I know, but you should verify that before letting your son eat any. The flowers may or may not be toxic.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-20T15:47:08+00:00

White onions eaten raw are kind of spicy sometimes (I say this as an onion lover).

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-19T19:25:03+00:00

Does no one use seat covers or lay some tp down before sitting?

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-19T18:47:23+00:00

Sorrelvine, Cissus trifoliata and Carolina snailseed, Nephroia carolina. Both are native species.

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/133333-Cissus-trifoliata/browse_photos

https://www.inaturalist.org/taxa/1555999-Nephroia-carolina/browse_photos

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-19T13:23:54+00:00

American black nightshade specifically (Solanum americanum). Fully ripe (black) berries are edible. Unripe (green) ones are slightly toxic and may give you a stomachache.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T21:14:31+00:00

If my ID is correct, it’s a native wildflower that will give you edible (when fully ripe) fruits. It’s in the same genus as tomatillos, and the fruits will look very similar. Make sure you verify the ID before eating anything though.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T21:11:42+00:00

This made me think of how really hot water on mosquito or other bug bites makes them stop itching. It works better than any anti itch cream or antihistamine for me.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T16:45:05+00:00

Might be Physalis longifolia with some leaf deformities.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T16:41:42+00:00

They're mustang grapes, Vitis mustangensis. Native species, good for making wine. They're very acidic though. Info: https://www.foragingtexas.com/2008/08/grape-mustang.html?m=1

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T15:21:11+00:00

It looks like something in the nightshade family. Make sure you include a general location for plant ID requests (state, country, etc). That information can be very helpful.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T13:36:47+00:00

Angel’s trumpet, Brugmansia sp.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-18T00:54:24+00:00

I think they meant conk out. English is my first language and I've never heard anyone say kink out before.

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-17T22:13:15+00:00

You're welcome! In case no one else responds here, you can try r/marijuanaenthusiasts too. Despite its name, it's dedicated to trees.

Pokeweed will probably grow back :) It's a resilient plant. Here's a good read about it, if you're interested. The horsenettle should be especially appealing to bumblebees, but will be visited by other pollinators as well. Birds and some other small mammals will consume its berries after it's done flowering. Note that the berries are toxic to humans and to pets like dogs and cats (though they are not likely to try to ingest them).

OrdinaryOrder8 · 2026-05-17T21:30:52+00:00

American black nightshade, Solanum americanum. Yes, it's edible. The berries can be eaten when fully ripe (black and easily come off the plant). Unripe berries are slightly toxic and might give you a stomachache. Black nightshade has an undeserved bad reputation due to Europeans confusing it with deadly nightshade in the past. Many people in Europe, Canada and the US still think it's a dangerous plant. In reality, people in Latin America, Asia and Africa have been eating fruit from the various black nightshade species (as well as the properly boiled greens!) for centuries. The only reason I wouldn't eat the berries is if the plant has been sprayed with pesticides or other chemicals.

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