Silverleaf Nightshade
White Horse Nettle
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Photographed in Phoenix, Maricopa Co., Arizona. May 2007. This photo is hosted in full resolution at Wikimedia where there are additional images of various Nightshades.
RANGE: Common in the Sonoran Desert of Arizona mostly where irrigation
is provided - and especially on overgrazed pasture. Along ditch banks and alley
ways.
LEAVES: Elyptic and silvery. Alternate. Smooth margins
FRUIT: Bright yellow berries remain on plants for extened periods and
become dryish capsules. Toxic.
PERENNIAL: Regrows year after year from underground stems and can form
large patches. Fresh growth appears mid to late spring and grows best during
summer and into fall.
FLOWERS: Attractive purple flowers with five, prominent yellow stamens.
The yellow stamens visible in the photograph are vase shaped with pore openings
at the apex. Specialized bees access the pollen by ‘buzzing’ and
thus vigorously shaking the vases. The pollen grains bounce out of the top
pores and are caught on the setae (insect hairs) of the bee.
ARMED. Usually has sharp prickles on the stems although some plants are
nearly free of spines.