Leaves oval-shaped and pointed, with 2 small ovate lobes at the base. Introduced from Europe. In 1785, botanist Manasseh Cutler called the nightshade Tivertwig and American Mezerion. Physicians of distinguished characters say, that the roots answer as valuable a purpose, in venereal cases, as the mezereon. Mezereon was once an important medicine, used to treat rheumatism, bronchitis, and various other illnesses.
Nightshades are in the tomato family.