Solanum nigrum is a common perennial evergreen shrub or herb which reaches a height of 30 to 120 cm. It has sparsely hairy leaves that are ovate to heart-shaped with wavy or large-toothed edges. The petiole is 1 to 3 cm long with a winged upper portion. The white flowers have prominent bright yellow anthers. The fruit is small black berries with numerous tiny brown seeds inside. The berries are said to be poisonous when green, but when they ripen and turn black, they are very popular for eating and for making jam.

References:

1 Van Wyk, B-E. and Gericke, N. (2007). People’s plants: a guide to useful plants of southern Africa. Briza, Pretoria.

2 Wikipedia. (2014). Solanum nigrum.