Leaves alternate, ovate or lanceolate, and long-stalked. Immature berries and foliage are toxic, but ripe fruits are reportedly edible. Solanum ptycanthum may be more commonly found in the midwest since S. americanum appears to be more concentrated in the southern states. A perennial with a deep taproot and rhizome below ground. Its stem and leaves have yellowish spines and sometimes are hairy.
Leaves are alternate and ovate with irregularly wavy or lobed margins.
Petals are united with 5 points at the margin. This perennial herb gets its common name because of its silvery appearance caused by the numerous fine hairs. The stems and parts of the leaves have short stiff spines. The flowers appear at the end of branches and have petals which are pale to deep blue or lavender in color.