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Solanum douglasii
greenspot nightshade
California, Baja California, and southwestern United States
Overview
Solanum douglasii is a soft-wooded perennial subshrub in the nightshade family, native to shaded slopes, canyons, and woodland edges of California, Baja California, and the southwestern United States. Sprawling, branching stems form a loose mound 24-60 inches (60-150 cm) tall and wider still, often scrambling through other vegetation. The thin, ovate leaves are 1-3 inches (2.5-8 cm) long with wavy or smooth margins. Over a long season, mostly spring through autumn, clusters of white star-shaped flowers open, each about 0.5 inch (1.3 cm) wide with five pointed lobes marked by a pair of green spots at the base and a cone of yellow anthers at the center. The flowers give way to small round berries that ripen from green to glossy black, about 0.25 inch (6 mm) wide. The species grows in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soils and tolerates drought and shade once established. All green parts and the unripe green berries contain toxic alkaloids. Top growth may die back in cold or dry spells and resprout from the base.
Native Range
Native to California, Baja California, and the southwestern United States, including Arizona. It grows in coastal scrub, chaparral, oak woodland, canyon bottoms, and shaded, disturbed slopes.Suggested Uses
Grown in native and habitat gardens, on shaded banks, and in wildlife plantings where birds take the ripe berries. Spaced 36-48 inches (90-120 cm) apart, plants scramble as an informal groundcover. Used in dry shade under oaks and along woodland edges.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread3' - 6'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
White star-shaped with green spots and a yellow centerFoliage Description
Green, ovate, thinGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-7 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to partial shade on well-drained soils, tolerating drought and dry shade once established. Water occasionally through the first dry season; mature plants need little summer water near the coast. The plant is toxic, and the green berries and foliage contain solanine-type alkaloids that are poisonous if eaten. Cut back leggy or frost-damaged stems in late winter to renew the form. Top growth may die back in cold or drought and regrow from the base. No fertilizer is needed in average soil.Pruning
Cut back sprawling or frost-damaged stems in late winter to keep the plant compact and prompt fresh growth. Light tip-pruning through the season controls the loose form. The plant resprouts readily from old wood.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
winter
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons