Andrea B. Posted June 1, 2021 Share Posted June 1, 2021 Blum, A.G. (2021) Solanum elaeagnifolium Cav. (Solanaceae) Silverleaf Nightshade. Flowers photographed in ultraviolet, visible and UV+B+G light. https://www.ultravio...eaf-nightshade/ La Secuela, Eldorado at Santa Fe, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA 29 May 2021 Wildflower Synonyms: Solanum flavidum Other Common Names: Bull Nettle Tomato Weed Trompillo White Horse-nettle White Nightshade Buena Mujer Tomatito de Buena Mujer Comment: This tough plant thrives along our dusty gravel roads. The purple-blue is very eye-catching against all the dust and rocks. It's stems and leaves are well-armed, so be sure to wear gloves if you want to gather a sample. Both the leaves and flowers are UV-absorbing. The flower shows both UV-black and a dark false blue with bits of iridescence along the petal ribs. The stem is UV-bright. Reference: 1. SEINet Arizona-New Mexico Chapter (acc nn mmm 2021) Solanum elaeagnifolium. This is a southwestern biodiversity organization making use of the Symbiota portal software. Equipment [Nikon D610-broadband + Nikon 105mm f/4.5 UV-Nikkor] Visible Light [f/16 for 1/1250" @ ISO-100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter] Ultraviolet Light [f/16 for 1/2.5" @ ISO-100 in Sunlight with BaaderU UV-Pass Filter] UV+Blue+Green [f/16 for 1/13" @ ISO-100 in Sunlight with UG5(2.0 mm) + S8612(2.0 mm)] Visible Light [f/16 for 1/800" @ ISO-100 in Sunlight with Baader UVIR-Block Filter] The flower was beginning to wilt in the hot sun, but I was able to get a quick abaxial view. It revived nicely when returned to water. Ultraviolet Light [f/16 for 1/1.6" @ ISO-100 in Sunlight with BaaderU UV-Pass Filter] Link to comment
Cadmium Posted June 2, 2021 Share Posted June 2, 2021 Andrea, Quite an interesting flower! I especially like the visual and UV+Blue+Green shots. :-) Link to comment
OlDoinyo Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Are the fruits of this one poisonous? Link to comment
Andy Perrin Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 Wiki strongly implies it is?“ Ingestion of silverleaf nightshade has been implicated as a cause of ivermectin toxicosis in horses given the recommended dosage of the drug. Metabolites from the plant are speculated to disrupt the blood-brain barrier, allowing ivermectin to enter and disrupt neurotransmitter function in the brain and spinal cord.[11]” But probably not as toxic as the “deadly nightshade” belladonna of European legend, which is totally unrelated to the Solanum ones. Very few things are more toxic than belladonna. Link to comment
Stefano Posted June 5, 2021 Share Posted June 5, 2021 "Bella donna" means "pretty woman" in Italian. That's because atropine dilates your pupils, and this was actually used for cosmethic purposes. Link to comment
Andrea B. Posted June 11, 2021 Author Share Posted June 11, 2021 My field guide also mentions that the yellow berries of Solanum elaeagnifolium are poisonous. Our cultivated tomatos and potatos are both Solanums. Link to comment
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