Black berry nightshade

Blackberry Nightshade

Solanum nigrum

Quick facts

Status
Permitted s11
Life cycle
Annual or short-lived perennial
Growth form
Herb
Toxicity
Variably toxic (green berries)
Origin
Africa, Europe and Asia
Flower
White
Dispersal
Birds, mammals
Seedbank persistancd
5 years

Form and function

Common agricultural, wasteland and bushland weed likely introduced for medicinal reasons. Native to north Africa and Europe.  Mostly an annual species, germinating whenever conditions are faviourable and sometimes biennial in milder climates, where it may live from 2-5 years. Competes vigorously for space and nutrients. 

Plant (DBCA)

Common names

Nightshade, Potato Bush, Tomato Bush, Wild Currants, Petty Morel, Poisonberry, Garden Nightshade, Hound’s berry, Common Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, Inkberry, Harsh, Garden Huckleberry

Germination

This species produces prolific amounts of seed, with germination rates often exceeding 90%. Germination is typically staggered, allowing seedlings to emerge over an extended period. Flowering begins approximately 5–9 weeks after germination and continues until the plant dies, with early-germinating individuals taking several weeks longer to reach flowering than those that germinate later. Following rainfall, vigorous recruitment occurs from soil-stored seed banks in both burnt and unburnt areas. Variability in primary seed dormancy among populations helps regulate germination timing, enabling the species to maximise survival by ensuring emergence occurs under favourable environmental conditions.

Flowers

Flowers are small 5-10mm wide, white, star-shaped, and borne in drooping clusters.

Flowers (DBCA)

Berries

Alternating temperatures are required to break dormancy and lower light intensities or darkness are generally more favourable for germination. . It is therefore best to time weed control measures to larger seedling flushes. Host to nematodes, fungi and viruses. Produces alkaloids, glycosides and accumulates nitrates.

Berries

Roots

Has a taproot and many lateral roots, with a high shoot to root ratio.  

How to control

Arum Lily

Physical control

Arum Lily

Chemical control

Arum Lily

Managerial control

Blackberry nightshade management relies on preventing seed set, as a single plant can drop thousands of seeds that remain viable in the soil for up to 5 years. Effective control combines physical removal, careful tillage, and targeted organic or chemical herbicides applied before the plant flowers.

Physical control

Manually remove plants, by hand pulling or grubbing before flowering/seed set.

Chemical control

For small infestations apply:

  • Glyphosate (360g/L) at 1% or 200 mL glyphosate per 10 L of water using a foliar application method. 
  • 2,4-D amine (500g/L) add 20mL in 10L of water to actively young plants in early summer, using a foliar application method, ensuring full leaf coverage and spraying until just wet. 
  • Mix of 20mL Fluroxypr (333g/L) in 10L of water to actively growing plants in summer, using a foliar application method, ensuring full leaf coverage and spraying until just wet.

Control infestations within range of the target area to reduce dispersal of seed by birds.
 

Managerial control

Blackberry nightshade prefers bares soil therefore planting perennial species that provide good mulch over the summer period to reduce germination and invasion (Moore & Wheeler 2020)

Further
reading

Minor use permit
external link Permit PER96570 for glyphosate
external link Permit PER96635 for 2,4-D amine

Weed Distribution Map

LSID number: [2912741] | full LSID: [https://id.biodiversity.org.au/node/apni/2912741] | field_lsid: [] | taxon: [Solanum nigrum]

ALA Reference

References

  • Atlas of Living Australia (2026) Solanum nigrum L. Blackberry nightshade.
  • Brisbane City Council (2026) Blackberry nightshade Solanum nigrum
  • Coleman, M., Kristiansen, P., Sindel, B., Fyfe, C. (2020) Blackberry Nightshade (Solanum nigrum): Weed management guide for Australian vegetable production. School of Environmental and Rural Science, University of New England, Armidale.
  • Moore, J. & Wheeler, J (2020) Southern weeds and their control
  • Weeds of Australia (2016) Solanum nigrum L.
  • Western Australian Herbarium (1998–). Florabase—the Western Australian flora. Department of Biodiversity, Conservation and Attractions.

Lifecycle calendar

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Notes
Germination
Active Growth
Flowering
Fruiting
Regularly or most commonly
Occasionally, given suitable conditions

Management calander

JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC Notes
Manual
Chemical
Optimal
Last updated: September 2026