Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara · Semi-woody Perennial Vine/Shrub
Plant Family
Solanaceae
Tree Category
Ornamental/Invasive Vine
Variety / Cultivar
Standard Wild Type
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9
About This Tree
A sprawling, scrambling, or climbing semi-woody vine that can occasionally appear as a small shrub. It features star-shaped purple flowers with prominent yellow anthers and produces clusters of egg-shaped berries that turn from green to bright red.
Leaf Characteristics
Simple, alternate leaves, dark green, often with one or two small lobes at the base (hastate shape). Soft texture with smooth (entire) margins.
Bark Characteristics
Green and herbaceous when young, becoming thin, light brown, and slightly woody with age at the base of the plant.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to Europe and Asia; widely naturalized in North America.
Growing Season
Leafs out in spring; flowers from May to September; berries ripen in late summer and fall; dies back in cold climates.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Adapts from Full Sun to Full Shade; prefers moist soils but is highly drought-tolerant once established.
Mature Size
Can climb or trail 2 to 10 feet in length; growth rate is fast; lifespan is perennial.
Special Characteristics
Highly toxic if ingested; contains solanine. Noted for its vibrant red berries and climbing habit. Often considered an invasive weed in wetlands and urban gardens.
Wildlife & Ecology
Berries are eaten by some bird species which aid in seed dispersal; flowers are visited by bumblebees and small pollinators. Toxic to most mammals including humans and livestock.