Plant · GBIF taxon 2932737
bittersweet nightshade
Solanum dulcamaraAlso known as Climbing Nightshade, Woody Nightshade, Trailing Nightshade, Bitter Nightshade
Bittersweet nightshade climbs over surrounding vegetation using slender, semi-woody stems that produce striking purple, star-shaped flowers with prominent yellow central cones. These blooms mature into clusters of teardrop-shaped berries that transition from green to orange and finally to translucent ruby red. Native to Eurasia, this resilient perennial thrives in moist disturbed soils, wetlands, and hedgerows across much of North America.
ToxicViningPerennial
1 / 7—observations
—countries
—peak records
Least ConcernConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXLeast ConcernRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Autotrophic
Predators
- Flea beetles
- Colorado potato beetle larvae
- Fruit-eating birds
ThreatsHabitat management and herbicide application in agricultural zones
HabitatsWetlands, riparian edges, thickets, ditches, disturbed ground
Life spanPerennial
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- OrderSolanales
- FamilySolanaceae
- GenusSolanum
- SpeciesSolanum dulcamara
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskHigh
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is high
- All parts contain toxic steroidal alkaloids; wild berries have dangerous look-alikes and should never be ingested.
- Why it is dangerous
- Contains toxic steroidal alkaloids like solanine that cause gastrointestinal distress, vomiting, and nervous system toxicity if eaten.
- How to recognize a risky encounter
- Look for pointed dark green leaves with ear-like basal lobes, purple star blooms, and shiny red drooping berries.
- What to do
- Do not ingest any part of the plant, and wear gloves when pulling or clearing dense vines.
Responsible observation
- Safe Distance: Keep pets and children away from the bright berries, which remain toxic year-round.
- Root Removal: Dig beneath the central taproot to completely eliminate unwanted vines from garden spaces.
Name Twin (c) aarongunnar, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by aarongunnar · cc-by
Crop Cousin (c) jamie-aa, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by jamie-aa · cc-by
Close Relative no rights reserved, uploaded by 葉子 · cc0
Agricultural Relative Softeis / CC BY-SA 3.0 · cc-by-sa
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