This plant is growing amongst the raspberries in my backyard garden in the Como Park neighborhood. Never noticed it before this year. The red berries are hanging right next to my raspberries. I'm wondering how dangerous they are since I have a 3 year old and children frequently visit my raspberry patch. Very pretty plant, though, and if it's not that poisonous, then I wouldn't want to rip it out. But if it IS fairly poisonous, then I would also appreciate tips on how to safely and effectively remove it from my garden.

I would remove it, especially since you have it growing near other berry-producing plants. Best to get it before it spreads and takes over your yard, like it almost did in mine. Pulling isn't likely to be effective because the stems are pretty weak and will only break off, then it will just resprout. Herbicides like weed-be-gone should be effective.

I would remove it. Although you aren't likely to see violent sickness as with its sister plant deadly nightshade, the berries can cause nausea in any quantity. Be sure to remove it quickly, as with most weeds bittersweet nightshade can easily choke away other plants and claim your yard.

Definitely remove it. Bittersweet noxious is not native to North America, and is considered an invasive noxious weed: http://www.invasive.org/species/subject.cfm?sub=6448

I just want to mention that the term "noxious weed" has a very specific meaning. The MN Dept of Agriculture categorizes those plants into various primary and secondary groups of prohibited or restricted species, some of which are only considered noxious in some counties rather than statewide. Most "noxious" plants on the lists are actually agricultural pests, not necessarily ecological pests.

So while it is true that bittersweet nightshade is non-native and can be a pest, it is not on the official Minnesota Noxious Weed list.

I have this junk all over my yard. At first I thought it was pretty, but now I just want to trash and burn it. It pops up everywhere and if it gets big by anything, it will push up concrete or move other plants easily. Good luck getting rid of it...it still shows up even through nothing alive will touch the berries!!

I have seen this in both Moorhead and now in Rochester. When I lived in Moorhead it grew all through and around my beautiful Miss Kim lilac and killed it. If the ground is really soft you can pull it out which for me was the most effective way of eradicating it.

It is taking root in some landscaped dirt we dumped under our evergreen and quickly growing to vine through adjacent fencing. I'm pulling it today! Thanks for the information!!!!

Yep, same in my backyard, specifically in the corners by where the fence edges meet. I've a toddler and an infant, so these need to go now.

I had a pretty large infestation under the trees that surround my yard. Last year we pulled everything then spread a thick layer of wood chips over it. So far very little has come up through the wood chips and anything that does gets yanked before it has a chance to flower. So far so good.

A few purple nightshade plants were in our front yard native prairie grass garden. The city inspector spotted them and advised removal--done. Both the blossoms and berries are colorful, but to be safe for kids they must go. Teach kids that bright red means "STOP--Don't eat me!" My 5-yr-old grand-daughter brought up the color code for safe eating on a recent outing in St. Paul at the Lilydale park fossil area, so the nature educators are on the job.

I have had one plant that comes back every year. Near a run off, hasn't been a problem.