Is the Eastern Black Nightshade (West Indian Nightshade) Edible?

Persons interested in the diversity of the plant world are quite familiar with the nightshade family (Solanaceae), which includes not only the Deadly Nightshade, but also some everyday vegetables-gardeners' staples-including the potato, the tomato, peppers, and eggplants. Nevertheless, there are a number of members of the nightshade family that are less familiar, some of which might be toxic under some circumstances and edible under other circumstances. One possibility is the Eastern Black Nightshade.

Poisonous Members and their Toxins

Some quite poisonous plants are included in the nightshade family, among them being Belladonna (Atropa belladonna), or Deadly Nightshade, containing the tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine. It is considered a lethal dose if a child eats 2 to 5 berries or an adult eats 10 to 20 berries and receives no medical treatment.

Another infamously toxic plant among the nightshades is the Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium), sometimes called Devil's Trumpet, Moonflower, or Locoweed. The toxic agencies are largely the same as those found in Belladonna. Yet another is the Mandrake plant.¹

What about the Eastern Black Nightshade?

The author noted a spreading plant that kept quite low to the ground and produced very small white flowers that produced tiny tomato-like green berries. This turned out to be the Eastern Black Nightshade, and the author feared it was dangerous and should be pulled, but decided to do research, first, to ascertain the facts.

The berries, when green, contain the same chemical in them that is found in the green potato-solanine. In fact, this chemical can be used as a fungicide and pesticide. Yet, if the fruits are allowed to completely ripen to quite dark berries, the solanine is gone, and the berries become edible-at least in small quantities. In fact, Forager's Harvest - Black Nightshade discusses this very topic.

Is the information presented there true? There is no known reason to doubt the author's sincerity, yet others maintain Solanum ptychanthum is toxic, dangerous. It may be a while before a unified, clarion statement is made by authorities one way or the other. Meanwhile, it is generally better to be safe, than sorry, and so it would seem to be the course of wisdom to avoid consuming the Eastern Black Nightshade, even if its berries are ripe. Curiously, the tomato, perhaps the most notable member of the nightshade family, was at one time thought to be uneatable-poisonous.

Disclaimer: Although the author is discussing legitimate facts as to edibility and toxicity, due to inexperience, the reader could accidentally misidentify a poisonous plant as being edible. Eating anything based on the contents of this article is discouraged, and the author assumes no responsibility.

¹ It should be noted that the poisonous-even deadly-alkaloids associated with the nightshades, in very small quantities and when used by trained physicians, can serve as useful medications.

References and Resources:

Illinois Wildflowers - Black Nightshade

Forager's Harvest - Black Nightshade

Virginia Tech Weed Identification Guide - Eastern Black Nightshade

Committee for Veterinary Medicinal Products - Atropa belladonna - Summary Report