Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara): purple Minnesota wildflowers

Bittersweet Nightshade

Plant Info
Also known as:	Climbing Nightshade, Deadly Nightshade, Woody Nightshade, Bittersweet
Scientific name:	Solanum dulcamara
Family:	Potato (Solanaceae)
Life cycle:	perrenial
Origin:	Eurasia
Habitat:	sun or shade; woods, thickets, waste areas
Bloom season:	spring, summer, fall
Plant height:	2 to 8 foot vine
USDA PLANTS database:	Minnesota county distribution map
Spotted in Ramsey County at:	Long Lake Regional Park Rice Creek Trail Corridor Vadnais/Snail Lake Regional Park

Pick an image for a larger view. Most image enlargements are 50-100KB, though some may be larger. See the glossary for icon descriptions.

Detailed Information

Flower:: ½-inch diameter, 5 purple petals with a protruding yellow center. The petals curl back, so it looks a bit like a Turk's cap or missile.
Leaves:: Leaves are smooth, toothless, heavily veined, and up to 3½ inches long. Most leaves have 2 small lobes at the base of the leaf that do not always appear to be part of the main leaf.
Fruit:: Green egg-shaped berries ripen to shiny red; ¼-inch in diameter
Notes:: While this plant isn't as deadly as its name suggests, the berries can make you sick if eaten in any quantity.

More purple wildflowers. All photos taken in my yard in New Brighton, MN, summer 2004 and August 2006.

Comments

Have you seen this plant in Ramsey County, or have any other comments about it?

Posted by: Stephanie S.
on: 2008-08-04 21:27:50

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.

Posted by: K Chayka
on: 2008-08-05 07:34:41

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.