Other common names include prairie berry, silverleaf nettle, white horsenettle or silver nightshade.

Leaves and stems are covered with downy hairs (trichomes) that lie against and hide the surface, giving a silvery or grayish appearance.

The plant produces glossy yellow, orange, or red berries that last all winter and may turn brown as they dry.

[8] It is considered a noxious weed in 21 U.S. states and in countries such as Australia, Egypt, Greece, India, Israel, Italy, South Africa, and Zimbabwe.

A five-year study found that frequent mowing of silverleaf nightshade contributes toward making it a 'superweed', with a deeper taproot, a spikier stem, and greater toxicity to grazing caterpillars.

[14] Ingestion of silverleaf nightshade has been implicated as a cause of ivermectin toxicosis in horses given the recommended dosage of the drug.

[16] The Pima Native Americans used the berries as a vegetable rennet, and the Kiowa used the seeds together with brain tissue to tan leather.