Bitter Nightshade
Order: Solanales
Family: Sloanaceae
Genus: Solanum
Species: S. dulcamara
General Characteristics: Bitter nightshade has a climbing, somewhat woody, branched stem about 2 to 8 feet long. The leaves are from 2 to 4 inches long, some entire and others having one to three lobes at the base. The purplish flowers, which resemble those of the potato, are produced from about May to September in compound clusters. The berries, which ripen in autumn, are oval, red, juicy, and contain numerous seeds. The plant has a handsome appearance in autumn with its colored berries, and is often planted as an ornamental.
Special Adaptations: Bitter Nightshade is most commonly found in disturbed habitats such as fields, empty lots, thickets, and along roadsides. Bitter nightshade contains an extremely toxic glycoalkaloid, solanine. Solanine is found in the leaves and is highly concentrated in the unripe berries. Children have been poisoned after eating the attractive berries. Symptoms of nightshade poisoning include salivation, headache, stomach pain, drowsiness, trembling, lowered temperature, dilated pupils, vomiting, diarrhea, progressive weakness, prostration, and death.
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