Flowering Months:
JAN
FEB
MAR
APR
MAY
JUN
JUL
AUG
SEP
OCT
NOV
DEC
Family:
Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Also in this family:
Apple-of-Peru, Black Nightshade, Cape Gooseberry, Chinese Teaplant, Cock's Eggs, Deadly Nightshade, Duke of Argyll's Teaplant, Green Nightshade, Henbane, Japanese Lantern, Potato, Sweet Tobacco, Tall Nightshade, Thorn-apple, Tomato
Maximum Size:
2.5 metres tall
Habitats:
Fens, hedgerows, woodland.
Bittersweet produces small, star-shaped flowers with five petals that are typically purple with bright yellow stamens in the center. Blooming from late spring to early autumn, the flowers grow in clusters along the stems and attract a variety of pollinators, including bees and butterflies.
Fruit:
The plant bears shiny, bright red berries that ripen in late summer and persist into autumn. These berries are visually striking but highly toxic to humans and many animals if ingested. Despite their toxicity, they provide an important food source for some bird species, which help disperse the seeds.
Leaves:
Bittersweet leaves are ovate to lance-shaped with pointed tips and a glossy green surface. They are arranged alternately along the stems and often have two lobes or ‘ears’ at the base, giving them a distinctive shape. The leaves can vary in size but are generally smooth-edged.
Fragrance:
The flowers have a faint, somewhat sweet fragrance that is subtle and not typically noticeable unless closely examined. The scent helps attract pollinators but is not a prominent feature of the plant.
Other Names:
Amara Dulcis, Bitter Nightshade, Bittersweet Nightshade, Blue Bindweed, Blue Nightshade, Climbing Nightshade, Common Nightshade, Dwale, European Bittersweet, Fellen, Fellenwort, Felonwood, Fever Twig, Fool's Cap, Poisonberry, Poisonflower, Rubabarik, Scarlet Berry, Skawcoo, Snakeberry, Tether-devil, Trailing Bittersweet, Violet Bloom, Wild Potato Flower, Wolfgrape, Woody Nightshade.
Summary
Solanum dulcamara, also known as bittersweet nightshade or woody nightshade, is a perennial plant that is native to Europe and Asia. It is known for its bright purple or red berries and large, purple-veined leaves. The plant is considered invasive in some areas and is often found growing in wooded areas or along fence lines. It is a member of the Solanaceae family, which also includes tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes. S. dulcamara has a long history of medicinal use and has been used to treat a variety of ailments, including asthma, bronchitis, and rheumatism. However, the plant is toxic and should not be ingested. Ingesting the berries or leaves can cause symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhea, and confusion. The plant is also poisonous to livestock and can cause serious illness or death if ingested.
Blog
Bittersweet, also known as Solanum dulcamara, is a shrubby plant that is widely distributed throughout the world. This species is part of the Solanaceae family, which includes many well-known plants such as tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants.
Bittersweet is a hardy plant that grows in a variety of habitats, including forests, meadows, and wetlands. It is a climbing or creeping plant that can reach up to 8 feet in height, and its stem is covered in sharp thorns. The plant has large leaves that are dark green and slightly shiny, and its flowers are small and yellow-green in color.
One of the most distinctive features of Bittersweet is its fruit. The fruit is a berry that starts off green and turns yellow or orange when it is ripe. The berries are edible, but they are quite bitter and are not usually consumed by humans. They are, however, a food source for many wildlife species, including birds, squirrels, and deer.
Despite its bitter taste, Bittersweet has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries. The plant contains solanine, which is a toxic alkaloid, but it also contains other compounds that have anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties. Bittersweet has been used to treat a variety of conditions, including arthritis, rheumatism, and skin conditions.
In recent years, Bittersweet has become a popular ornamental plant. It is often used as a groundcover or a climbing vine, and it is appreciated for its bright yellow and orange berries, as well as its dense foliage. Bittersweet is a hardy plant that can grow in a range of soil types and is not particularly susceptible to pests or diseases.
However, despite its many benefits, Bittersweet can also be considered an invasive species in some areas. Its climbing habit and ability to grow quickly can make it difficult to control and limit its spread, and it can quickly take over native vegetation, reducing biodiversity. In these cases, it is important to carefully manage Bittersweet and prevent it from spreading into natural areas.
Another aspect to consider is the toxicity of Bittersweet. As previously mentioned, the plant contains solanine, a toxic alkaloid, and all parts of the plant, including the berries and leaves, can be poisonous if consumed in large quantities. This makes it important to keep the plant out of reach of children and pets, especially if you have young children or pets that might be tempted to taste it.
Despite its potential to cause harm, Bittersweet can still be an attractive and useful plant in a garden setting. To minimize the risk of its invasive habit or toxicity, it is important to choose a suitable location and to plant it in a controlled area, such as a container or a trellis. This will help to ensure that the plant stays in its designated location and that its berries and leaves are not easily accessible to children or pets.
In conclusion, Bittersweet is a beautiful and versatile plant that can add interest and color to any garden or landscape. However, it is important to consider its potential as an invasive species and its toxicity before planting it in your yard. With careful management, it can be an attractive and useful addition to any garden.
Video
Bittersweet filmed growing in a hedge on the 7th July 2022.
Music credits
Prelude No. 21 by Chris Zabriskie is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 license. https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
Source: http://chriszabriskie.com/preludes/
Artist: http://chriszabriskie.com/
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