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Plant Informational Database

Garden Huckleberry

Solanum melanocerasum

a.k.a. Wonderberry, Sunberry

Small, dark purple or purple or black fruit that is edible (despite looking like nightshade) and is usually cooked or boiled before eating. See below for more explanation.

Seed Availability

Seeds are now available at our seed store.

Description

Very small shrub, usually growing to only 12-24". There are a number of varieties of garden huckleberry to which there is some confusion. The wonderberry is actually a garden huckleberry variant hybridized by famed plant breeder Luther Burbank. Wonderberries have superior flavor to most garden huckleberries, although there are some sweet varieties of garden huckleberry that are worthwhile for the home grower. Caution should be advised not to confuse the fruits with those of nighshade (a very close relative), as nightshade fruits are highly poisonous.

Hardiness

Not frost hardy. Will reseed in areas of frost. Sunset Zones: All zones USDA: All zones

Growing Environment

Plants require virtually no care other than water. Grow in the ground or in pots, plants are fairly short lived and make excellent annuals.

Propagation

By seed. May fruit in just 2-3 months.

Uses

Cooked and used as a flavoring for various desserts. The unripe (green) berries are poisonous.

Native Range

A variety of the deadly nightshade, supposedly originating from Africa.

Related Species

Solanaceae  
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