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Solanum xanti

purple nightshade

Solanaceae

California and northern Baja California

Attracts Pollinators Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

Native to North America

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

HardinessZones 8–10

Overview

Solanum xanti is a low, spreading subshrub growing 1-3 feet (30-90 cm) tall with slender, somewhat woody stems that are often finely hairy. The alternate leaves are ovate, 0.5-2 inches (1.5-5 cm) long, dull green and sometimes glandular. Flowers are 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) across, with five fused petals forming a purple to lavender star around a cone of bright yellow anthers, carried in small clusters. Bloom runs from late winter through spring and can repeat after rain. The fruit is a round green-to-dull-purple berry about 0.4 inch (10 mm) wide. All parts, including the berries, contain solanine alkaloids and are toxic if eaten. It grows on dry slopes, chaparral, and open woodland in California and northern Baja California, often appearing after fire. The plant is drought-deciduous, dropping leaves in summer heat and releafing with cool-season rain. Frost and prolonged drought cut it back to the base.

Native Range

Solanum xanti is native to California and northern Baja California, Mexico. It grows in chaparral, coastal sage scrub, oak woodland, and dry slopes, from the coast into the foothills below about 6,000 feet (1,800 m).

Suggested Uses

Planted in native, dry, and habitat gardens in California and similar climates. It suits chaparral restoration, dry slopes, and informal borders with little summer water. The flowers support native bees, including bumblebees that buzz-pollinate the anthers.

How to Identify

Identify Solanum xanti by its purple, five-pointed star flowers 0.6-1 inch (15-25 mm) wide with a central cone of yellow anthers, set against dull green ovate leaves. The low, semi-woody habit and round berries separate it from the annual nightshades, which die back fully each year. It closely resembles Solanum umbelliferum, which differs in leaf shape and a small green gland at the leaf base.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread2' - 4'

Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~12 weeks

Winter Spring

Purple flowers open from late winter into spring, generally February to May, with scattered rebloom after summer or autumn rain. The plant blooms most heavily in the cool, moist months. Flowering slows in summer drought as the plant drops its leaves.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

purple to lavender

Foliage Description

dull green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

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

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

sand loam rocky

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Frost Tolerance

tender

Time to Maturity

2-3 years

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Solanum xanti in full sun to light shade in fast-draining soil and a pH from 6.0 to 7.5. It withstands drought once established and needs little to no summer water, which can cause root rot in heavy soil. The plant is drought-deciduous and may look bare in summer before releafing in autumn. It tolerates poor, rocky ground and recovers quickly after fire from the root crown. All parts contain solanine alkaloids and are toxic to people and pets if eaten.

Pruning

Light pruning after the main bloom keeps the plant compact and encourages branching. Old, woody stems can be cut back hard in late summer or autumn while the plant is dormant. Spent berries can be removed to limit self-sowing.

Pruning Schedule

summerfall