Solanum umbelliferum
bluewitch nightshade
California and adjacent southwestern United States
Overview
Solanum umbelliferum is a rounded, woody-based subshrub growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall and as wide, with grayish-green, finely hairy foliage. The alternate leaves are ovate to elliptic, 0.5-1.5 inch (1.5-4 cm) long, often with a small green gland where the leaf stalk joins the blade. Star-shaped flowers 0.5-1 inch (12-25 mm) across have five fused blue to lavender petals, two green spots at the base of each petal, and a central cone of yellow anthers, borne in loose umbel-like clusters. Bloom runs from late winter through spring and again after rain. The fruit is a small, round, dull green to whitish berry about 0.3 inch (8 mm) wide. All parts contain solanine alkaloids and are toxic if eaten. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, and open woodland in California and nearby regions, holding most of its leaves through mild winters. Hard frost and deep drought cause partial dieback.
Native Range
Solanum umbelliferum is native to California and adjacent parts of the southwestern United States and northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and dry slopes from the coast into the foothills.Suggested Uses
Planted in native, dry, and pollinator gardens in California and similar climates. It suits chaparral restoration, dry borders, and slopes needing little summer water. The flowers support native bees that buzz-pollinate the anthers.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height1' - 3'
Width/Spread2' - 4'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Colors
Bloom Information
Blue flowers open from late winter into spring, generally February to May, with scattered bloom after rain at other times. Flowering peaks in the cool, moist months and slows in summer heat. Individual flowers last a few days within long-blooming clusters.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
blue to lavenderFoliage Description
grayish-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Grow Solanum umbelliferum in full sun to light shade in fast-draining soil with a pH from 6.0 to 7.5. It tolerates drought once established and needs little summer water, which can rot the roots in heavy soil. The plant keeps a rounded form and stays partly evergreen in mild winters, dropping some leaves in cold or drought. It recovers from the base after frost or hard cutback. Poor, rocky ground suits it, and rich soil produces soft, weak growth. All parts contain solanine alkaloids and are toxic to people and pets if eaten.Pruning
Light pruning after the main bloom keeps the plant dense and shapely. Woody stems can be cut back by a third to a half in late summer or autumn to renew growth. Removing spent berries limits self-sowing.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
summerfall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons