Know your weed seedlings: Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum)

 

The summer annual weeds are starting to emerge and I am using this blog over the next few weeks to introduce readers to the seedlings of important species.

 

Black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) is an annual (or sometimes a short-lived perennial) species that is common throughout much of the state inhabiting: tree and vine systems, agronomic and horticultural crop fiels, roadsides, gardens, and other disturbed sites. 

 

The seedlings have cotyledons that ovate (oval) to lanceolate (lance-shaped) with pointed tips that can become purplish in color. Leaves are ovate to triangular in shape, also with pointed tips. Early leaves have simple margins whereas older leaves possess margins that are wavy to shallowly-toothed; eventually leaves become dull, dark green in color. Cotyledons, leaves and stems have short nonglandular hairs and some glandular hairs on them.

 

Images are include in a printable PDF document at the end of the post. For more information about black nightshade, please connect to the following UC IPM website: http://ipm.ucanr.edu/PMG/WEEDS/black_nightshade.html

 

Figure 1. A recently emerged seedling of black nightshade; note the paired, lanceolate cotyledons. Also note the fine hairs on both the cotyledons and the leaves.

 

Figure 2. A seedling of black nightshade showing lanceolate cotyledons that have become purple-tinged and hairy, triangular leaves.

 

Figure 3. A more mature seedling exhibiting leaves that are dark green in color and possessing smooth margins.

 

Figure 4. A mature, flowering black nightshade; leaves are dark green in color and the margins are wavy.

 

Video: When is Sustainable Packaging Coming in the Canadian Agri Food Industry? 3 Critical Perspectives

Canada’s regulatory landscape on single-use plastics is complex but a recent ruling by the Federal Court of Appeal sided with the government’s intent to eliminate single-use plastics. What does this mean for the Canadian agri-food industry? How can companies find the right balance between regulatory compliance and implementing costly alternative solutions? What are retailers and consumers saying about sustainable packaging? This webinar features Joshua Goodman, Head of Corporate Sustainability, Sobeys; Marie-Anne Champoux-Guimond, Director of Sustainability, Keurig Dr Pepper Canada and Glenford Jameson, Canadian Food Lawyer, G.S. Jameson and Company

This 60-minute webinar brings together three industry leaders to examine the opportunities, challenges, and realities of the path forward. In this session, you will gain insights into:

•Canada’s regulatory roadmap and timeline on eliminating single-use plastics

•Current end-of-life solutions for plastics and alternative packaging solutions

•The need to have a corporate strategy that aligns with reality at the retail shelves

•How major brands and retailers are pivoting

•Supply chain considerations

•Common misconceptions