Solanum dulcamara (Bittersweet)

Solanum dulcamara

Solanum dulcamara L.

Bittersweet, Bittersweet Nightshade, Blue Bindweed, Climbing Nightshade, Bittersweet Nightshade

Kingdom	Plantae	Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae
Subkingdom	Tracheobionta	Vascular plants—plants with a “circulatory system” for delivering water and nutrients
Division	Magnoliophyta	Flowering plants, also known as angiosperms
Class	Magnoliopsida	Dicotyledons—plants with two initial seed leaves
Subclass	Asteridae	A large class that encompasses asters
Order	Solanales	Potatoes, eggplants, tomatoes, peppers, tobacco, petunias, sweet potatoes, morning glories, many others
Family	Solanaceae	Nightshade or potato family
Genus	Solanum	“Quieting,” for the narcotic effect of some species
Species	dulcamara	From Latin dulcis, “sweet”; this is Latin for “bittersweet”

About plant names...

Bittersweet nightshade is a native of Eurasia, now widespread in North America, bordering on invasive in some areas.

Identification: Bittersweet nightshade is a perennial vine that rarely exceeds 10' (3 m) in length. The base of the vine is woody, but above-ground portions are not, and die back each year. Leaves are dark green, 2-5" (5-12 cm) long, oval or heart-shaped, with pointed tips. Sometimes they have three lobes, a larger central one and two smaller side-pointing leaflets. The crushed leaves have a disagreeable odor. Flowers are purple, drooping, with five petals and a central bright yellow cone. They are about ½" (1.3 cm) in diameter. Often the petals are bent back. Fruits are oval, translucent berries in large clusters, deep red when mature, but yellow or orange while ripening. Each berry is ¹/₁₆-¼" (2-8 mm) in size.

Edibility: Poisonous Skull & Crossbones Contains a substance that “in excess, paralyzes the central nervous system, slows the heart and respiration, and lowers temperature, causing vertigo, delirium, convulsions and death.” All parts of the plant should be avoided.