I have a couple of these plants coming up in a bed that I planted seeds from our Group Seed Swap back in November. Were these seeds offered in the swap? If so, what do they attract?
http://davesgarden.com/guides/pf/go/54503/
It has berries on it already and they are not that tall. I can see how this plant might become rather invasive in my zone. If it was not offered in the swap, then I need to decide if I want it in my garden or not.
A couple of butterflies use solanum (nightshade) as a larval host but I've not seen either of them and there are no records for them in Florida.
Creamy Stripe-Streak (Awawacus jada) - this has been reported in Arizona and is native to Mexico but we don't have any records of it in south Texas...yet :o)
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1484
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/creamy.html
Obscure Bolla (Bolla brennus) - this has been sighted in south Texas as a rare stray.
http://www.butterfliesandmoths.org/species?l=1971
http://www.naba.org/chapters/nabast/Bolla.html
Not sure if any moths will use it. I know the manduca sexta sphinx moth uses tomato which is part of the nightshade family.
On another note - the U.S. Pollinator stamps show a Morrison's Bumblebee pollinating a Purple (Chaparral) Nightshade.
~ Cat
Nightshade is a poison plant to animals. Most won't mess with it, but still... It is fairly invasive, at least around my house.
~Lucy
Thanks Cat for all the information and the great links! I really appreciate it. I don't know if these plants are worth growing in my garden beds. I am thinking they may have gotten in there from bird droppings, but I am not sure.
I also found another probably native, fast growing plant. I believe it is Mikania scandens. And I found out that it is a host plant for Metalmark Butterflies. So this will probably stay. Looks really pretty in bloom in the Fall. But it too is a bit aggressive growing.
This message was edited Mar 16, 2008 11:39 PM
Becky!!! I've been after Mikania!!!
This is also known as climbing hempweed. It is a larval host for the Tropical Greenstreak. There are no records of that butterfly in Florida so trade it away!!!
Want to trade it? Please say yes :o) Am sending you d-mail to twist your arm!!!
~ Cat
Yes, Cat! I will trade YOU! I'll get with you later after work to dmail you! I haven't done anything with them yet. They are safe and still in the ground. :-)
Sounds great Becky...I sent d-mail. Will check with you when I get home from work tonight too :o) WOOHOO!!!
For now best keep it in the ground as I'll be out of state next week. Then have to go out of town for a few days when I get back.
~ Cat
I get nightshade popping up in the backyard, near the bird feeder. So it probably was brought to you by one of your feathered friends. Gotta go read up on that Mikania - haven't heard of it, but I'm always trying to identify more plants.
