Silverleaf nightshade

Discuss this plant with the guide — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

Solanum elaeagnifolium

Native Colorado plant · not on state Lists A/B/C. C-floristic-2020 CO-rules-2025

Toxic leaves and berries; persistent spreading roots. Exposure help.

Identification caveat: Distinct from buffalobur, horsenettle and black nightshade species. Native status does not imply harmlessness or prevent it being invasive outside its native range.

Still researching this plant

This is a sourced working profile. Evidence is incomplete for Dogs & cats, Other animals. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.

Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

**habit** — Upright silverleaf nightshade stem with gray-green leaves and purple flowers in a grassy field.
Sam Kieschnick · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted.
Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

**flower** — Purple star-shaped silverleaf nightshade flowers with prominent yellow anthers, held against a hand.
Sam Kieschnick · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted.
Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

**fruit** — Round yellow-green silverleaf nightshade berries with darker green bands on a drying gray stem.
Chris Quirin · CC BY 4.0
Photo source and identification
Original record · Original image
Explicit iNaturalist observation taxon and Research Grade community identification; photograph visually reviewed for depicted features. This is source identification, not a new independent botanical determination. Source identifies this plant to species; no variety or subspecies determination is asserted.
Downloaded iNaturalist large rendition; downloaded bytes retained unchanged. No local crop, retouching, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; catalog preview may use a CSS crop.

Identification

A perennial with silvery, hairy leaves, often prickly stems and showy violet flowers. Young root sprouts may look like seedlings but lack seed leaves. U-silverleaf

People

Leaves and berries contain variable amounts of toxic glycoalkaloids. Do not eat this plant or use berry color as a safety test. U-silverleaf

Dogs & cats

Keep pets from chewing this identified nightshade as a precaution. The reviewed source documents human and livestock toxicity, but does not establish pet-specific clinical effects or a safe amount. U-silverleaf

Evidence scope: Precautionary inference; pet evidence unresolved.

Other animals

Leaves and berries can poison livestock. Consumption by wild birds or small mammals does not establish safety for domestic animals. U-silverleaf

Plants & habitat

Deep roots and persistent growth can reduce pasture or crop production through competition for water and nutrients. CNHP treats the species as native in Colorado. U-silverleaf C-floristic-2020

Management & timing

Distinguish seedlings from root sprouts and plan repeated monitoring of established patches. Seek local management advice for extensive infestations. U-silverleaf

Evidence scope: Management inference from root persistence.

Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. S27

References

C-floristic-2020 — Colorado Floristic Quality Assessment: 2020 Update, Colorado Natural Heritage Program, Colorado State University. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:27:33+00:00. Locator: Appendix B, Colorado species list: scientific name and native/non-native fields.
CO-rules-2025 — Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2, Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
U-silverleaf — Silverleaf nightshade, University of California Statewide Integrated Pest Management. Accessed 2026-09-07T02:26:10+00:00. Locator: Named species or genus; identification, distribution and hazard sections where available.
S27 — 2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds, PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.

Content revised 2026-09-07 02:43:00Z · Source checks dated separately in the references.