Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
| Common Name: | Bittersweet nightshade (a.k.a. European bittersweet, Bitter nightshade, Blue nightshade, Woody nightshade, Poison berry, Climbing nightshade, Scarlet berry, Blue bindweed, Fellenwort) |
| Scientific Name: | Solanum dulcamara |
| Family: | Solanaceae |
| Growth Form: | Herbaceous Vine |
| Native Range: | Europe and Asia |
| Invasive Range: | Most of the U.S.; greatest density in Northeast and North-central regions |
| Introduction: | Bittersweet nightshade was introduced to the United States as an ornamental. |
| Description: | ·Leaves: Alternate; 2 forms; 2-lobed or oval/ovate. Smooth margins. Petioled. Green with a purplish cast. 5-12 cm (2-5 in.) long.
·Stem: Grows 2-3 meters tall. Can wrap around other plants, trail on ground, or grow upright. ·Flowers: Purple or blue with yellow center. 12-16mm (.5-1 in.) in diameter. Star shaped. Petals fused at bottom, but have 5 lobes. ·Fruit: |
| Threats: | The Bittersweet nightshade sets a large number of seeds, allowing it to reproduce rapidly. Its vines can strangle trees, and it out-competes native vegetation. |
| Fun Facts: | Both the vegetative parts and fruit of the Bittersweet nightshade are poisonous to all kinds of livestock and to children because they contain the glycoalkaloid solanine. |
Plants
Lobed leaves
Fruit