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Solanum dulcamara
Also called Bittersweet, woody nightshade, Climbing Nightshade, Woody Nightshade, Bitter Nightshade, Bittersweet Nightshade, European Bittersweet, Dulcamara
Bittersweet is a semi-woody climbing vine in the nightshade family that scrambles over other plants, usually 1 to 2 m tall. It grows best in moist, rich soil with partial shade, and the whole plant contains toxic compounds.
Solanum dulcamara is a species of vine in the genus Solanum (which also includes the potato and the tomato) of the family Solanaceae. Common names include bittersweet, bittersweet nightshade, bitter nightshade, blue bindweed, Amara Dulcis, climbing nightshade, felonwort, fellenwort, felonwood, poisonberry, poisonflower, scarlet berry, snakeberry, trailing bittersweet, trailing nightshade, violet bloom, and woody nightshade.
It is native to the Old World and widely naturalised elsewhere, including North America, with a preference for wetlands.
The plant grows well in dark areas in places where it can receive the light of morning or afternoon. An area receiving bright light for many hours reduces its development. It grows more easily in rich wet soils with plenty of nitrogen. When grown for medicinal purposes, it is best grown in a dry, exposed environment.
The berry is poisonous to humans and livestock, and the berry's attractive and familiar look makes it dangerous for children. The poison in this species is believed to be solanine.
This plant is one of the less poisonous members of the Solanaceae. Instances of poisoning in humans are very rare on account of the fruit's intensely bitter taste. The fruit has been reported to have a sweet aftertaste, hence the vernacular name bittersweet.
It is native to Europe, eastern Asia, and northern Africa, but has spread throughout the world. It is a nonnative species in the United States.
Solanum dulcamara has a variety of documented medicinal uses, all of which are advised to be approached with proper caution as the entirety of the plant is considered to be poisonous. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally. There have only been records of medicinal use for adults (not children) and it is possible to be allergic to S. dulcamara; medicinal use is not advised in these cases.
Dwarf Tamarillo · Solanum acaule · Sodaapple nightshade · Ethiopian nightshade · American black nightshade · Solanum arcanum · New Zealand nightshade · Solanum berthaultii · Tamarillo · Solanum brevicaule · Solanum cajanumense · Bitter Apple
Text excerpted from the Wikipedia article Solanum dulcamara by its contributors, under CC BY-SA 4.0; the excerpts and the care summary drawn from them are shared under the same licence.
The care summary was written by AI (Claude, Anthropic) from the sources on this page, with general growing knowledge where they are silent. Check before relying on it.
Life form, climate and native range: World Checklist of Vascular Plants, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (CC BY 3.0), reformatted; see Plants of the World Online.
Pet safety from the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant lists.
