Should you worry?

NZ’s National Poisons Centre gets over 100 calls a year about black nightshade. Almost all (90%) relate to children who’ve eaten the berries.

Medically, even the green berries are low in toxicity – a 12kg child would need to eat 30+ berries before it was of concern. Symptoms include fever, sweating, vomiting, abdominal pain, diarrhoea, confusion, hallucinations, and stupor, usually 6-12 hours after ingestion.

What it can do to livestock

Poultry, cattle, horses, sheep, and goats that eat wilted leaves or too many green berries can have symptoms including excess salivation, colic, diarrhoea, dilated pupils, loss of appetite, muscle tremors, weakness, laboured breathing, depression and drowsiness. In serious cases, toxins can affect the kidneys and heart. Talk to your vet if you suspect an animal has eaten black nightshade.