Bluewitch nightshade
Solanum umbelliferum
Last reviewed: November 2026
Bluewitch nightshade (Solanum umbelliferum) is a perennial shrub native to AZ, CA, NV, OR. It blooms in February, March, April, and May. The flowers draw bumble bees.
Watering reminders and freeze alerts for Bluewitch nightshade, free in the app.
Bluewitch nightshade is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.
The Pollinator Patch App flags toxic plants so you can choose a native alternative that is not on the ASPCA toxic plant list.
Native swaps for a yard with pets
Bluewitch nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 24"–48" W
Bloom
Feb, Mar, Apr, May
Native to
AZ, CA, NV, OR
Pollinators
bumble bees
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A sprawling, gray-green shrub with star-shaped purple-blue flowers with a bright yellow center, typical of the nightshade family. It grows in chaparral and coastal scrub, blooming over a long winter-to-spring season. All parts of the plant, including the berries, are toxic if eaten.
Growing Bluewitch nightshade
Grow Bluewitch nightshade in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 12 to 36 inches tall and spread 24 to 48 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Its flowers require buzz pollination and are worked mainly by bumble bees, which vibrate the anthers to release pollen.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bluewitch nightshade need?
- Bluewitch nightshade grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bluewitch nightshade bloom?
- Bluewitch nightshade blooms in February, March, April, and May.
- Where is Bluewitch nightshade native?
- Bluewitch nightshade (Solanum umbelliferum) is native to AZ, CA, NV, OR, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- Is Bluewitch nightshade toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Bluewitch nightshade is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Bluewitch nightshade toxic to cats?
- Yes. Bluewitch nightshade is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Bluewitch nightshade attract?
- Bluewitch nightshade draws bumble bees.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Bluewitch nightshade and shows natives not flagged toxic to pets for your ecoregion instead.