About Solanum douglasii Dunal
Solanum douglasii Dunal is a perennial herb or subshrub that reaches a maximum height of nearly 2 meters (6 1⁄2 feet). Its stem is covered in short, white hairs. Its leaves can grow up to 9 centimeters (3 1⁄2 inches) long, and have either smooth or toothed edges. The inflorescence is an umbel-shaped cluster of flowers that each have a star-shaped white corolla up to 1 centimeter wide. There are typically green spots at the base of each corolla lobe. The yellow anthers measure a few millimeters long. This plant can bloom during most of the year. It produces a spherical black berry that grows up to 1 centimeter (1⁄2 inch) wide. It is native to the northern half of Mexico and the southwestern to south-central United States, where it grows in scrub and woodland habitats. Many other species in the Solanum genus are toxic. Native Americans used the juice from its berries for medicinal purposes, and the Luiseño people used this juice as a dye for tattooing.
