Is black nightshade edible?

18 years ago

My Asian & Indian friends tell me that the ripe berries are quite edible. I know it's not the same as deadly nightshade but I'm still leery. Anyone know?

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (7)

carolync1
18 years ago
There are probably enough plants called Black Nightshade that you should be very careful which one you have. It is a huge family with several toxic members.

And remember that "the dosage makes the poison". Some member of this family have a reputation for being edible cooked, but not raw, too. I ordered some non-tomato members of the nightshade family this year (two with black berries), but didn't get the seeds planted in time for this year.
gardengg
18 years ago
I had used what is called Solanum Nigrum, in India - especially the leaves and ripe berries - with lot of success - to treat sores in mouth.

Here in the US, though I located them with good fruits right in my backyard, I found them to be quite bitter.

However, here are some info about the plant itself. See the note about the ripe berries. It may be worth to take it to a horticultural dept in a nearby university and test it out.

http://www.inchem.org/documents/pims/plant/solanum.htm#SectionTitle:2.5%20Poisonous%20parts

Ggg
Related Discussions
black nightshade (garden huckelberry)
Q
Comments (6)
There is a huckleberry plant in the States that produces an edible black berry; your Solanum must look something like it. I would not chance it if I were you. The huckleberry we have over here can be eaten raw; I've done this, so I know it's not the same plant. Do you get elderberries? They would probably be safer and more fun to work with, esp since elderberry flowers can be steeped to make a fragrant tea that is good for bronchitis, and the ripe berries can be made into jellies and wine!
...See More
Is this berry bush/tree nightshade?
Q
Comments (3)
Looks like Highbush cranberry Viburnum trilobum to me. Edible? Yes, though usually in things like jams, if I recall rightly. As far as grandbabies and edible or not, take the opportunity to teach them plant safety. You can't protect them from every toxic plant. Teach them how to be safe around plants and to not taste (unlike too many adult posters to the forum!!) what they do not know. You can't be with them always but hopefully your teaching can. FataMorgana
...See More
Getting rid of deadly nightshade
Q
Comments (7)
I just reclaimed an area that had a lot of night shade, locust seedlings, wild grape and garlic mustard. I mixed roundup 3x minimum recommendation and sprayed. I cut the trees and grapes off first and sprayed the fresh cut stumps. I was surprised it worked really well on everything. It saved me going back and respraying once or twice more. In the past I haven't found a lot of weeds that will die after one spraying of the minimum RU mixture. Remember, the ground is full of last year's seeds so it will come back. Good luck!
...See More
black nightshade (garden huckelberry)
Q
Comments (17)
Never ever even attempt it. The black Nigthshade (Solanum Nigrum) contains Solanine as does Bittersweet Nightshade Solanum Dulcamara (The red berried nightshade). I grow all the poisonous/medicinal plants as a hobby. Black nightshade in NO way contains ANY tropane alkaloids. Infact its often confused with Atropa Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade / Belladonna). Belladonna 1. Has HUGE leaves around 8 to 10 inches long and 6 inches wide! It produces 1 inch BELL shaped flowers that are green purple and brown. It produces berries of shiney black inside an Upsidedown star from the "HIP" of the flower and is in no way safe to eat ATALL. (In the mildest can cause blindness) - Atropine, Scopolamine, Hyoscyamnine Belladonna 2. Does not occure in the wild SLUGS devour it with impunity. It only grows wild in europe. Then there its banned and wild plants are destroyed. There is hardly any such thing as Wild Deadly-Nightshade left in the wolrd. Its only grown in medicinal gardens or the curious and it is well protected from insects. I grow this plant. It does best in the shade. Hardly any sun. Black nightshade 1. Is small and woody at the base getting a bark like exterior, leaves are small about 1inch to 2 inches at most, the berries cluster after "WHITE FLOWERS drop off". The cluster of juicey black berries looks apatizing but they are not and they are poisonous. The berry juice is first of all "Light sensative and oxygene sensitive. When exposed to either the juice goes milky WHITE. The berries ALWAYS contain Solanine "A cardiac poison". Boiling does remove it but its risky. If your curious Ive tastes a berry and spit it out. The juice stained my teeth for two days! and was heavily inky and tasted like concentrated bitter tomatos. "NOT sweet or pleasnt" rather very bitter. Don't waste your time or your health with this. Unless your experienced and have a family passdown where its prepared all the time. Leave it to those who know it. Just concearned for your saftey -Russel
...See More
paulns
17 years ago
There was a thread about this on the herbalism forum...

Here is a link that might be useful: nightshade
paulns
17 years ago
in the herbs forum

Here is a link that might be useful: herbs
gw:ddw-wa
17 years ago
I'm 75 now but as a kid in the 30's in South Dakota,my Mom had night shade plants in her garden. The night shades were about the size of peas. They were shiny black when she picked them and she made a sauce with them that we ate for dessert. You would slowly pour thick cream on the black sauce and make a design with the white cream till it slowly sunk into the sauce. It was so so good. Thanks for bringing back the memory.
grovespirit
17 years ago
Different varieties of black nightshade have different levels of poison in them, so it depends on what variety you have. Some varieties are safe to eat raw, others must be thoroughly cooked to destroy the poison.
wtliftr
13 years ago
depends on which "black nightshade". The "black nightshade" native to the US (Southern US I know for a fact) is actually S. americanum. It has small berries in a small cluster that are SHINY black when ripe. If these are fully ripe, they are indeed quite edible. If they have the least bit of green, they are still poisonous. Another one, the S nigrum, has berries that are black when ripe, but they are NOT shiny. Those I am not so familiar with.

Related Stories

URBAN GARDENS Experiments Aplenty Fill Vancouver Edible Garden

By Vanessa Brunner

Lush and brimming with test landscape plantings, a Canadian garden appeals to the eye and the palate

Full Story

COMMUNITY Art, Edibles and Community Make Magic in a Pittsburgh Garden

By Lauren Piasecki/Black Cherry Design

With a name like Friendship, is it any wonder this neighborhood created such an enchanting community garden?

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Vegetables and Flowers Mix in Beautiful Edible Gardens

By Margie Grace - Grace Design Associates

Ornamentals, meet your edible garden mates. We know you'll get along just beautifully

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES Essential Watering Tips for Your Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

To give your edible plants just what they need, check out these guidelines for how, when and how much to water

Full Story

EDIBLE GARDENS Houzz Call: Where Are the Craziest Places You Grow Edibles?

By Annie Thornton

Basil in a bathtub, spinach stacked up a wall ... If your edibles occupy an odd spot, we’d like to know

Full Story

FRONT YARD IDEAS Welcome Edibles Into the Front Yard for Fresh Food and More

By Abundant City

Give your front yard design a boost and maybe even make new friends by growing fruits and vegetables

Full Story

GARDENING GUIDES 10 Easy Edibles for First-Time Gardeners

By Marianne Lipanovich

Focus on these beginner-friendly vegetables, herbs, beans and salad greens to start a home farm with little fuss

Full Story

FRONT YARD IDEAS 10 Ideas for a Front-Yard Edible Garden Your Neighbors Will Love

By Laura Gaskill

Choosing attractive, well-mannered plants and sharing the bounty will go a long way toward keeping the peace

Full Story

102

EDIBLE GARDENS 12 Essential Herbs for Your Edible Garden

By Annie Thornton

Make home cooking and drinks even better with herbs plucked from your own backyard or windowsill pot

Full Story

125

GARDENING GUIDES 15 Favorites for Your Summer Edible Garden

By Marianne Lipanovich

Get your summer garden off to a good start with these popular fruits and vegetables

Full Story

Is black nightshade edible?

Comments (7)

carolync1

gardengg

Related Discussions

paulns

paulns

gw:ddw-wa

grovespirit

wtliftr

COMPANY

BUSINESS SERVICES

GET HELP

CONNECT WITH US