ID Characteristics
This plant is in the Solanaceae - the nightshade family.
Silverleaf nightshade is a perennial that grows to about 18 inches high in southern Arizona, to about 3 feet under optimal conditions. It appears in summer, becoming noticeable as it blooms with the monsoon rains, then dying to the ground in winter. A well-established plant will have multiple stems.
The stem and leaves are covered with white hairs and appear silvery. Thin prickles appear on the stems and sometimes on the leaves, varying from plant to plant. The leaves are alternate and oblong, to about 4 inches, with a 1/2 inch petiole. The edges of the leaf are wavy. There may be prickles, especially on the main vein on the underside of the leaf.
The flowers are held on 1-2 inch flower stalks, several flowers together. The calyx is 5-lobed and has prickles (see to left of open flower in photo). The 5 petals are fused together for part of their length and create a flower about 1.5 inches wide. They range in color from dark purple to white. There may be prickles on the back of the petals. The 5 stamen have showy yellow anthers. They surround a single style.
The fruit is initially green with a few darker green stripes. It will enlarge to about 1/2 inch in diameter (the photo above is an immature fruit; note the prickles on the remnants of the calyx). Mature fruit is yellow and may darken to almost black.