Solanum dulcamara L.
Bittersweet, bittersweet nightshade, blue bindweed, climbing nightshade
Bittersweet nightshade is a native of Eurasia, now widespread in North America, and invasive in some areas.
Plants: 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: 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: 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: 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.
Habitats: Woodlands to scrubland, forest edges, hedges and marshes..
Edibility: Poisonous 
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.
Online References:
6/24/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 4″ (12 × 10 cm) 
7/21/2026 · Denny Reed Trail, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (12 × 9.1 cm) 
8/20/2025 · Peaks Island, Maine · ≈ 4½ × 4½″ (12 × 12 cm) 
9/4/2023 · Thorne Head Preserve, Bath, Maine · ≈ 5 × 4½″ (13 × 12 cm) 
10/10/2024 · Cliff Trail, Harpswell, Maine 
8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4½″ (14 × 11 cm) 
9/25/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 2 × 2″ (5.1 × 5.1 cm) 
11/2/2013 · East Point Sanctuary, Biddeford Pool, Maine · ≈ 5 × 4″ (12 × 11 cm) 
8/7/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 3 × 4″ (8.1 × 10 cm) 
7/21/2026 · Denny Reed Trail, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 7 × 5″ (17 × 13 cm) 
6/19/2024 · Red Rose Preserve, Bowdoinham, Maine 
7/21/2026 · Denny Reed Trail, Phippsburg, Maine · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
8/4/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 4½ × 3″ (12 × 8.2 cm) 
6/4/2013 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 1¼ × 1½″ (3.6 × 4.1 cm) 
9/13/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm) 
7/21/2013 · Gibbet Hill, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm) 
8/4/2009 · Tom and Susan’s, Pepperell, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (12 × 9.7 cm) 
9/3/2020 · Mitchell Field, Harpswell, Maine · ≈ 3 × 3½″ (7.9 × 8.7 cm) 
8/20/2010 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Ayer, Massachusetts · ≈ 6 × 4″ (15 × 10 cm) 
7/12/2025 · New Harbor, Maine · ≈ 3½ × 3″ (8.8 × 8 cm) 
| Kingdom | Plantae | Plants, but not fungi, lichens, or algae (from Stearn's Botanical Latin) |
| 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” |
Solanum dulcamara description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.
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