Family: Solanaceae
bittersweet nightshade, climbing nightshade, deadly nightshade
[Solanum dulcamara f. albiflorum House]
Kitty Kohout
Kitty Kohout
University of Wisconsin - Madison (WIS-VP)
Etymology: Solanum: Latin for "quieting," in reference to the narcotic properties of some species
Plants: trailing or twining perennial, up to 8' tall, mostly smooth, woody vine
Leaves: stalked, mostly simple but some with 2 lower lobes
Flowers: purple to blue with shiny, green spots in the center, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, saucer-shape; inflorescence a 1"-3" wide, branched cluster; blooms June-Sep
Fruits: green, then yellow, then orange, then bright red, 1/4" berry
Habitat: moist; disturbed sites, woods, cliffs, marshes
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; potentially invasive
Plants: trailing or twining perennial, up to 8' tall, mostly smooth, woody vine
Leaves: stalked, mostly simple but some with 2 lower lobes
Flowers: purple to blue with shiny, green spots in the center, 5-parted, 1/2" wide, saucer-shape; inflorescence a 1"-3" wide, branched cluster; blooms June-Sep
Fruits: green, then yellow, then orange, then bright red, 1/4" berry
Habitat: moist; disturbed sites, woods, cliffs, marshes
Hazardous: Careful, this plant is hazardous!
Conservation Status: Introduced - naturalized; potentially invasive
Bittersweet nightshade, European bittersweet, bittersweet. Edges, openings, and depressions in forests and thickets (deciduous to coniferous, dry to wet), banks of streams and rivers, margins of sloughs, ponds, lakes, marshes, and wet meadows; railroads, roadsides, pastures, fencerows, hedges, and ditches, also yards, gardens, about buildings, alleys, and lots. A native of Eurasia, thoroughly naturalized in the U.S. and Canada. Known in Wisconsin since 1860 if not earlier (Bruhin, Hale, and Lapham collections are undated) and by 1900 collected numerous times as far north as Ozaukee and Sauk Cos.The whole plant is poisonous (different steroidal alkaloids in different parts), especially the green immature fruits. Children are attracted to the berries and are sometimes poisoned, but fatal human poisonings are very rare.
Floristic Rating: Wetland Indicator = FAC WIS DNR-Bureau of Endangered Resources: Detailed information on Wisconsin invasive species including decription, habitats, control methods USDA Plants Database: Federal Distribution and detailed information including photos University of Wisconsin - Green Bay: Shrubs: Photos, descriptions, information USDA Agricultural Research Service (ARS): Images of seeds, fruits, embryos, etc. Dan Tenaglia's The Missouri Flora: Fabulous photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leave arrangement key. David G. Smith's "Delaware Wilflowers": Beautiful photographs; descriptions Illinois Wildflowers: Wonderful photographs; detailed descriptions; color and leaf arrangement key Virginia Tech Dept. of Forestry, College of Natural Resources: detailed description and photographs Southwest School of Botanical Medicine: Britton & Brown Illustrated Flora - 2nd Edition (1913) "An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada"
Kitty Kohout
Christopher Noll
Paul Skawinski
Botanical Illustration
Botanical Illustration
