Prairie-berry
Solanum elaeagnifolium
Last reviewed: August 2026
Prairie-berry is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
12"–36" H × 12"–36" W
Bloom
Jun, Jul, Aug
Native to
AZ, CA, CO, KS and 5 more states
Pollinators
bees, butterflies
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 437 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
Prairie-berry is a low-growing native shrub with silvery foliage and purple flowers that bloom through summer. This drought-tolerant plant forms compact mounds and requires minimal care once established. It naturally stays under 3 feet tall and wide, making it suitable for smaller landscape spaces.
In an HOA neighborhood
Prairie-berry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Has thorns that may be considered hazardous
- Can spread aggressively and become weedy
- May be classified as noxious weed in some areas
Wildlife value
The purple flowers attract native bees and butterflies during the long summer blooming period. The plant provides nectar for pollinators when many other plants are stressed by summer heat.
Common questions
- How much sun does Prairie-berry need?
- Prairie-berry grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Prairie-berry bloom?
- Prairie-berry blooms in June, July, and August.
- Where is Prairie-berry native?
- Prairie-berry (Solanum elaeagnifolium) is native to AZ, CA, CO, KS and 5 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- Is Prairie-berry toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Prairie-berry 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 Prairie-berry toxic to cats?
- Yes. Prairie-berry 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 Prairie-berry attract?
- Prairie-berry draws bees and butterflies.
- Is Prairie-berry HOA-friendly?
- Prairie-berry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Prairie-berry and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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