Another puzzle in the Piedmont

 Solanum elaeagnifolium, or something that looks like it, is blooming here in the Georgia Piedmont.

It’s called Silverleaf nightshade in Texas. And though the old cowmen hated it because it was hard to kill and could poison livestock, I love it because it’s beautiful.

In the Southwest, the colors of the foliage are washed out. The green of the leaves is almost silver — halfway between grey and white. Against those faded colors the purple flowers with golden anthers are brilliant.

The scheme is reversed in the plants I’m seeing here. The foliage is lush and deep green, while the flowers are washed out — almost entirely white with just a hint of purple.

I’m not a good enough botanist to be sure what I’m looking at. The range of Solanum elaeagnifolium includes Georgia. But there are a lot of species of Solanum on the East Coast that I’ve never seen. Another puzzle.

• Source: If this sounds familiar, see “On the creek: Silverleaf nightshade,” June 14, 2022.