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RIVERTON — It's that time of year when lovely plants and flowers sprout up in community gardens and outside homes. However, one pretty plant can be deadly, and it's popping up all over Riverton and Herriman.
Nightshade — a gorgeous vine-like plant with a purple flower — can be very deceiving. Popular in Utah, nightshade (scientific name: Solanaceae) is one of the most toxic plants in the United States and sprouts appealing red berries. Plant experts say to watch out for it, particularly if you have small children or pets that may come upon it in the yard.
Beverly Ledward moved into her home two years ago and has been trying to identify all of the flowers in her garden. She had no idea that nightshade was amongst the blooms.
“They just send offshoots everywhere,” Ledward said. “I didn’t know what it was and I left it because it was pretty."
USU Horticulturist Katie Wagner said nightshade (sometimes known as deadly nightshade or bittersweet nightshade) got its name because it grows in more shaded parts of the yard.
“It’s a really beautiful weed,” Wagner said. “It’s got a beautiful flower and it produces a really beautiful red berry.”
Despite its aesthetic appeal, all parts of the plant are toxic.
- Check for nightshade every year — it's perennial
- ALWAYS wear gloves when handling nightshade
- Dig up nightshade when the ground is moistened by rain or sprinklers
- Remove all the roots when pulling nightshade
- Contact Utah Poison Control if consumed: 1-800-222-1222
“If [someone] ate enough of it, it could be potentially fatal,” said Wagner. “If kids or animals are eating it, you should definitely take that seriously.”
Ledward said learning about Nightshade worried her, particularly because her children and dog Zoe like to play outside.
“My daughter plays in the yard, my neighbors’ kids play in the yard. They were actually picking leaves off the plants over the weekend," Ledward said.
She’s glad that she now knows what to look out for. Now she’ll just dig it up and get rid of it.
Nightshade is perennial so it needs to be checked for every year. It’s easiest to dig up when the ground is moist after rain or watering. Be sure to remove all the roots. Experts say to always wear gloves when handling nightshade.
If someone ingests nightshade, they can contact Utah Poison Control: 1-800-222-1222. That line is available 24 hours a day.
Contributing: Angie H. Treasure
