Solanum sturtianum

Solanum sturtianum is a upright, perennial shrub to 3 m (9.8 ft) high with silvery to grey-green foliage with a dense covering of star-shaped, short, matted hairs. The branches have scattered, numerous or a scarce covering of prickles. The leaves are silvery green coloured, lance-shaped, 3–6 cm (1.2–2.4 in) long, 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) wide, edges smooth, sometimes wavy, and the petiole 0.5–1.5 cm (0.20–0.59 in) long. The inflorescence consists of a few to about twelve flowers on a peduncle 0–15 mm (0.00–0.59 in) long, individual flowers on a pedicel 5–8 mm (0.20–0.31 in) long. The purple corolla is star-shaped, circular and flattened, and 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter. Flowering may occur throughout the year and the fruit is a berry 10–15 mm (0.39–0.59 in) in diameter, surface brittle and yellowish to brown-black.[2]

Solanum sturtianum was first formally described in 1854 by Ferdinand von Mueller and the description was published in Transactions of the Philosophical Society of Victoria.[3][4] The specific epithet (sturtianum) honours Charles Napier Sturt.[5]

Thargomindah nightshade grows in arid areas of New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, Western Australia and the Northern Territory.[2]