Otricoli Orange Berries on a white background.
Otricoli Orange Berries in bowl with jam on toast.
Otricoli Orange Berry fruit in bowl and spread out on wooden tabletop.
Otricoli Orange Berry fruit in wicker bowl.
Otricoli Orange Berries on a white background.
Otricoli Orange Berries in bowl with jam on toast.
Otricoli Orange Berry fruit in bowl and spread out on wooden tabletop.
Otricoli Orange Berry fruit in wicker bowl.

Huckleberry Seeds,
Otricoli Orange

3.917 Reviews#GR131 · 30 seeds
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Description

Here’s a most unusual nightshade plant, collected originally by the Gettles in Umbria, Italy, in the ancient Roman site of Ocriculum. It was found growing along the Tiber River, growing with the common black nightshade, (S. nigrum). Plants reach 2-3 feet tall, having typical nightshade leaves and white flowers. The small berries have a lot of visual interest being a bright orange—not at all the dark purple that you might expect. At maturity the plants are covered in clusters of brilliant orange! This species has been used as food for millennia; eat only ripe fruit.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Solanum nigrum
Life Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
7–21
Days to Maturity
70
Planting Depth
⅛ in.
Plant Spacing
14 in.
Ideal Temperature
75–85°F
Frost Hardy
No

Growing Guide

When to Grow

Sow Otricoli Orange indoors in fine, moist soil 6 to 8 weeks before your last frost date, setting the seed about ⅛ inch deep; germination takes 7 to 21 days. Transplant out after frost has passed, as this annual is not frost hardy. Space plants 14 inches apart in a bright spot with 8 to 12 hours of sun, leaving room for 2- to 3-foot plants. The first ripe orange berries arrive around 70 days.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Germination steps are very similar to those for tomato seeds. Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date and transplant out after all chance of frost has passed. Sow seeds 1/8 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 75-80 F.
  • Sow in quality seed-starting mix and provide average moisture.
  • Seeds germinate in 7-21 days.

How to Grow

  • Grow these plants just as you would tomatoes.
  • Provide full sun. Plants prefer well-drained soil with average to rich organic matter.
  • Provide average, consistent moisture.
  • Space plants 14 inches apart.
  • These plants can be grown with a tomato cage for support, or allow them to remain freestanding.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A relatively pest- and disease-free plant. The biggest challenge is to prevent aggressive re-seeding and invasive behavior. If you are concerned about re-seeing, you can grow these in a container and prevent fruit spilling into soil, or provide a layer of plastic mulch or hardware cloth beneath plants and harvest fruit promptly.

How to Save Seeds

  • Self pollinating.
  • Save seeds by allowing fruit to become quite squishy and soft before picking.
  • Mash berries and dilute with water to help separate the seeds from the flesh, then skim the skin and flesh, leaving just the seeds.
  • Dry seeds thoroughly and place in an airtight container.
  • Store seeds in a cool, dark, dry place.

FAQ

What makes Otricoli Orange look so different?

The plants have typical nightshade leaves and white flowers, but the small berries are a bright orange rather than the dark purple you might expect. At maturity the plants are covered in clusters of brilliant orange.

Where did this variety come from?

It was collected originally by the Gettles in Umbria, Italy, at the ancient Roman site of Ocriculum. It was found growing along the Tiber River alongside common black nightshade, S. nigrum.

When are Otricoli Orange berries ready to eat?

Harvest only when the berries are fully ripe — very orange and soft. This species has been used as food for millennia, but eat only ripe fruit; green fruit may be poisonous to eat.

Customer reviews

3.9 / 5 17 Reviews

What gardeners are saying

  • Easy and vigorous: Germinates readily, grows fast and fruits all summer long.

  • Prolific self-sower: Self-sows freely and can take over; several keep it in pots.

  • Flavor divides growers: Some find it sweet and citrusy; many find it flat or unpleasant.

  • Heads up: Tiny, seedy berries that are slow to pick; better in jam.

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