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bittersweet nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

Bittersweet nightshade is a climbing plant with beautiful purple flowers and bright red berries. It's often found in gardens and along fences, making it a lovely sight in nature.

Habitat: Urban areas

Appearance

The bittersweet nightshade is a sprawling vine with delicate, star-shaped purple flowers, featuring prominent yellow anthers in a cone shape. Its glossy, oval leaves often have ear-like lobes near the base. Bright red, oval berries appear in clusters, making it visually striking.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderSolanalesFamilySolanaceaeGenusSolanum
bittersweet nightshade
climbing trait badgeflowering trait badgefruit_bearing trait badgepollinator_magnet trait badge
bittersweet nightshade

Category

Plants

Rarity

Common

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Snaps

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Interesting facts

Despite being poisonous, traditional medicine sometimes uses parts of this plant.

It's related to familiar plants like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants!

Its name comes from the stem's taste: first bitter, then surprisingly sweet!

The yellow anthers on its purple flowers vibrate to release pollen! Wow!

Special abilities

Ability

Climbing Power

Bittersweet nightshade can climb using its flexible stems, helping it reach sunlight in dense vegetation.

Ability

Toxic Defense

Bittersweet nightshade has toxic berries and leaves that deter herbivores, helping it defend against being eaten.

Ability

Berry Lure

Bittersweet nightshade produces bright red berries that attract birds, helping it spread its seeds far and wide.

Measurements & details

Height
30-200 cm
Flower Size
1-2 cm
Bloom Season
Late spring to early fall
Edible
No
Toxicity
High
Lifecycle
Perennial
Pollination Method
Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumblebee

Bombus impatiens

collects pollen from its purple flowers

eaten by

Eurasian Blackbird

Turdus merula

eats the berries, helping to spread seeds

eats

Colorado potato beetle

Leptinotarsa decemlineata

occasionally feeds on its leaves

Traits

Also known as

Climbing Nightshade

Collections

Safety

Danger

3/5 · Moderate

Don't touch or eat the berries, as they can make you feel sick.

Frequently Asked Questions

How tall is bittersweet nightshade?

30-200 cm

How big are the flowers on bittersweet nightshade?

1-2 cm

When does bittersweet nightshade bloom?

Late spring to early fall

Is bittersweet nightshade edible?

No

Is bittersweet nightshade toxic?

High

What is bittersweet nightshade's lifecycle?

Perennial

How is bittersweet nightshade pollinated?

Insect

Where is bittersweet nightshade usually found?

Urban areas

Snap Map

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Recent Snaps

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Where to spot

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