# 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. - **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant) - **Rarity:** Common - **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate - **Snaps:** 83 - **Habitat:** Urban areas - **Also known as:** Climbing Nightshade ![bittersweet nightshade](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Dettaglio_-_Solanaceae_Solanum_dulcamara_Lin._Erbario_Frizzi_Perugia_n._551.jpg&width=800) Photo: Giuseppe Frizzi, Public domain · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Dettaglio_-_Solanaceae_Solanum_dulcamara_Lin._Erbario_Frizzi_Perugia_n._551.jpg) ## 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. ## Taxonomy - **Kingdom:** Plantae - **Phylum:** Tracheophyta - **Class:** Magnoliopsida - **Order:** Solanales - **Family:** Solanaceae - **Genus:** Solanum ## 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 - **Climbing Power:** Bittersweet nightshade can climb using its flexible stems, helping it reach sunlight in dense vegetation. - **Toxic Defense:** Bittersweet nightshade has toxic berries and leaves that deter herbivores, helping it defend against being eaten. - **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](https://www.snappit.app/explore/colorado-potato-beetle) (*Leptinotarsa decemlineata*) — occasionally feeds on its leaves ## Traits - [Climbing/Vine](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/climbing-vine): Climbing or vine plants are characterized by a growth habit that allows them to ascend upwards by twining, tendrils, or adhesive roots. - [Flowering](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/flowering): Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle. - [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds. - [Pollinator Magnet](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator-magnet): Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms. - [Toxic](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/toxic): Toxic organisms contain substances that are poisonous and can cause adverse effects upon exposure. - [Poisonous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/poisonous): Poisonous organisms produce toxins that can cause harm when ingested, inhaled, or absorbed through contact. - [Urban Friendly](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/urban-friendly): This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces. - [Invasive](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/invasive): Invasive species are non-native organisms that cause harm to the environment, economy, or human health. ## Collections - [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants) ## Safety **Danger:** 3/5 · Moderate Don't touch or eat the berries, as they can make you feel sick. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### How to identify bittersweet nightshade? Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details. ### 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 to spot - [Albany Pine Bush](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/albany-pine-bush) — New York, US · Nature Reserve - [Arden Park–East Boston Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/arden-park-east-boston-historic-district) — Michigan, US · Historic District - [Ashton Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/ashton-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Barrington Civic Center Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/barrington-civic-center-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Blackstone Boulevard–Cole Avenue–Grotto Avenue Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/blackstone-boulevard-cole-avenue-grotto-avenue-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District - [Broadway-Armory Historic District](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/broadway-armory-historic-district) — Rhode Island, US · Historic District [View all places to see bittersweet nightshade](https://www.snappit.app/guides/where-to-see/bittersweet-nightshade) ## More Plants - [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*) - [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*) - [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*) - [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*) --- Source: [Bittersweet Nightshade: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/bittersweet-nightshade)