BITTERSWEET
European bittersweet, blue nightshade, woody nightshadeSolanum dulcamara—SOLANACEAE
European bittersweet, blue nightshade, woody nightshadeSolanum dulcamara—SOLANACEAE
Description:A woody climbing or reclining herb with slender stems and dark green pointed leaves which may be purplish-green when young. Clusters of white or purplish-white flowers borne on a 5-pointed, wheel-shaped base (calyx). During summer and early fall, fruits become attractive berries, bright red to scarlet, and are scattered in clusters. They remain when leaves fall.
This weed is found in numerous areas, such as on dumps, along fence walls, and generally in moist, rich soil conditions. It is a common weed in many gardens, near dwellings or in fields, and is related to the black and deadly nightshades.
NOTE. The black nightshade, American bittersweet or poison berry (Solarium nigrum-SOLANACEAE) closely resembles the European bittersweet, excepting the berries which are purple or black. It contains the same poisonous principles.
Poisonous Parts:Chiefly the leaves and unripe fruits. The red berries (black berries of the black nightshade) can be poisonous if several are eaten. The plant containssolanine,dulcamarin, and similar principles which are related to the alkaloids of the deadly nightshade. Poisoning is characterized by burning in the throat, nausea, dizziness, dilation of eye pupils, convulsions, and general muscular weakness.
Antidote:Call your doctor. Have patient vomit. Physicians treat for alkaloids, as in atropine poisoning.