Solanum villosum
Common name
Red-berried nightshade
Family
Solanaceae
Flora category
Vascular – Exotic
Structural class
Herbs - Dicotyledons other than Composites
Conservation status
Not applicable
Flower colours
White, Yellow
Year naturalised
1969
Origin
Possibly Eurasia
Etymology
solanum: Derivation uncertain - possibly from the Latin word sol, meaning “sun,” referring to its status as a plant of the sun. Another possibility is that the root was solare, meaning “to soothe,” or solamen, meaning “a comfort,” which would refer to the soothing effects of the plant upon ingestion.
References and further reading
Conner, A.J.; Schônberger, I.; Jacobs, J.M.E. 2022 Solanum villosum (Solanaceae) in New Zealand. Canterbury Botanical Soc. Journal 53: 64-71