Black Nightshade

black nightshade and blackberry nightshade

Black Nightshade History and Folkore

The two species known as black nightshade, Solanum nigrum and Solanum americana are similar enough that some botanists argue that they are the same species. There exists a thing call the Solanum nigrum complex aka Solanum section L. Solanum which is a grouping of similar species, including S. nigrum (European black nightshade), S. americanum (American black nightshade), S. douglasii (greenspot nightshade- Pacific northwest), S. opacum (Greenberry nightshade, Australia), S. ptychanthum (Eastern black nightshade), S. retroflexum (Sunberry), S. sarrachoides (Hairy nightshade, South America), S. scabrum (Garden huckleberry) and S. villosum (Hairy nightshade). These species can all hybridize and that only makes things more confusing. Are they all different species, or are they different varieties of the same species? All produce flowers and berries in umbles. The berries and flowers are not all the same color, but they are all the same shape- star-shaped flowers (usually white) with prominent anthers (usually yellow)  and glossy round berries that start green and mature, usually to black, sometimes to red. And I was able to verify the edibility of all except S. sarrachoides (but don’t take my word for it in either case).

It can be difficult to research the history black nightshade because it is so often confused by modern scholars for deadly nightshade. This is only complicated by Grieves’ claim that black nightshade contains atropine- it does not. Black nightshade toxicity is from solanine, which produces primarily abdominal symptoms and it has no hallucinatory effect, therefore there is no reason to suppose that it was ever used for something like a flying salve and it could not be used as a suitable substitute for deadly nightshade. A stomach ache and heart palpitations that can feel like an anxiety attack is really of no use for divination or any magick.

To complicate things further, both Grieves and Cunningham claim black nightshade is another name for henbane. It is not.

Black Nightshade in the Garden

Both European black nightshade and American black nightshade are short-lived plants that pop up in gardens in temperate regions everywhere. They like to grow along fences or anything that will give it support and a good dose of sunshine with a touch of shade. The leaves are arrow-shaped or ovular- And may have different shapes on on the same plant. They grow alternately on the stem. The plant itself can get bushy or it can scrabbly and climby. Basically, it acts like a tomato plant- to which they are closely related.

The flowers are small with five white petals, star shaped around a very prominent bright yellow anther. The petals tend to recurve as the plant ages. The flowers are in an umbrella-shaped cluster that emerges along the stem between the leaves. The berries start out green and turn glossy black when they are ripe.

Black Nightshade prefer moist, rich soil and full sun to partial shade

Black nightshade enjoys moist, fertile soil in full sun to part shade. It especially seems to enjoy hedgerows and fencerows surrounding cultivated land. While I normally wildcraft this plant, if I were growing it on purpose, I would give it something to climb in an area that gets some shade in the afternoon.

The seed does benefit from stratification, so I might actually plant the seed in the fall or during that warm spell we always get in February before second winter. You can try winter planting in a milk jug at midwinter as well- I haven’t tried this with nightshade but it has worked well for me with other cold stratified seeds. Or put the seeds in the freezer with some moist soil or wrapped in a damp paper towel. Remember that the plant is frost tender, so wait till all danger of frost has passed before transplanting.

Black nightshade can grow as a perennial in frost-free climates. Otherwise, it is an annual that will die back when the cold comes. It will need about 80 frost-free days to produce ripe fruit.

Leaves can be harvested young, before the plant starts flowering. Remember they must be boiled or steamed before eating them. The berries should be picked when they are fully ripe, black and glossy.

Black Nightshade in the Kitchen

Black nightshade contains the same toxins all the solanum plants do. The berries are edible only when they are perfectly ripe and glossy black. They can be eaten raw or cooked into pies, jam, etc.

The leaves can be gathered before the plant flowers and should be cooked before eating them. Boiling destroys the solanine, which reduces bitterness and toxicity, but other forms of cooking are not as effective.

Solanum nigrum group for Healing

Black Nightshade Magick

Black nightshade is a Saturn plant that corresponds to the element Water. It is useful for spells used to communicate with, appeal to or honor the dead and psychopomp but it will not produce an altered state of consciousness to see, communicate or travel with them. You can do this under your own power, however, bringing along some nightshade berries or better yet, a biscuit slathered with nightshade jam, as a hospitality gift. Dried berries can also be added to incense mixtures to burn during rituals to connect with the dead and psychopomps.

Or, black nightshade berries can be crushed and combined with vinegar and strained to produce a thin violet ink that will fade in time to blue, then gray. While it is by no means an archival ink, it is ideal for writing letters to the dead and appeals to the underworld gods. Once written and read allowed, the paper can then be buried or burned. Its ephemeral and Saturnine natures also make this an excellent ink to use for banishing spells.

Dried black nightshade leaves and berries can also be crushed to add to powders designed to define boarders and create barriers of protection, particularly from the wandering dead and from hexes cast at those contained within the barrier. The whole berries may be carried for the same purpose.

It is also used in lunar magic

Black Nightshade at Alchemy Works https://www.alchemy-works.com/solanum_nigrum.html#gsc.tab=0