Brazilian Nightshade (Solanum Seaforthianum)

Features and Characteristics

Solanum seaforthianum, commonly called Brazilian nightshade, is an aggressive woody perennial evergreen twining vine of the nightshade family. It is typically grown as an ornamental in tropical areas around the globe. Original native territory is unclear. Some authorities believe it is native to dry forests and dry scrub in the West Indies and in South American coastal areas of Colombia and Venezuela. Other experts suggest a larger native territory consisting of southern Florida, Mexico, Central America, tropical South America and the West Indies.

This vine typically grows to 20’ tall bearing nodding pendant clusters (axillary cymes to 6” across) of bluish-purple (less frequently pink to white) flowers with contrasting yellow anthers which bloom in summer on stems clad with broad-elliptic, rich green leaves (4-8” long). Leaves (4-8” long) are sometimes pinnate but are usually pinnatifid with 3-9 variably sized lobes. Flowers bloom mid to late summer. Flowers are followed by small showy berries (each to 5/16” diameter) which mature to scarlet red.

Genus name appears to come from the Latin word solamen meaning comfort, solace, or soothing in reference to the purported sedative and healing effects obtained from application of the leaves of some genus plants to cuts, wounds, inflammations or skin problems.

Specific epithet honors Lord Seaforth (Francis Mackenzie Humberston – 1754-181- who was a British politician who served as Governor of the Caribbean island of Barbados from 1800 to 1806 during which time he reportedly sent back to England for cultivation a large number of West Indian plants including the within vine now named after him.