*Solanum dulcamara Linnaeus. Common name: Bittersweet, Climbing Nightshade. Phenology: May-Nov. Habitat: Disturbed areas, in a wide variety of upland and wetland habitats. Distribution: Native of Europe.
Origin/Endemic status: Europe
Synonymy ⓘ: = C, Fl6, FNA14, GrPl, K4, Mi, Mo3, NY, Pa, RAB, Tat, Tn, Va, W, WH3, WV; > Solanum dulcamara L. var. dulcamara — F, Il, NE; > Solanum dulcamara L. var. villosissimum Desv. — F, Il, NE. Basionym: Solanum dulcamara L. 1753
Links to other floras: = Solanum dulcamara - FNA14
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Wetland Indicator Status:
- Atlantic and Gulf Coastal Plain: FAC
- Eastern Mountains and Piedmont: FAC
- Great Plains: FACU
- Midwest: FAC
- Northcentral & Northeast: FAC
Heliophily ⓘ: 7
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Horticultural Information
Intro: A non-native, perennial vine that clambers over other plants; prefers disturbed habitat, though it is sometimes seen in natural areas. Native of Europe.
Stems: Stems sprawling or climbing, branched, purple and slightly hairy when young (becoming brown and woody with age).
Leaves: Leaves alternate, on minutely winged petioles, arrowhead-shaped with 2 basal lobes, to nearly 4 in. long, mostly smooth.
Inforescence:
Flowers: Flowers in a few drooping clusters of 6-20, from stems or axils of leaves; purple or violet; consisting of petals bent backward and upward around a central downward-pointing "cone" of united stamens.
Fruits: Fruit a shiny, oval berry that starts out green and turns scarlet when ripe.
Comments: Stem and leaves have a strong odor when bruised.
Height: 2-8 ft. (long)
plant sale text:
bloom table text:
description: A non-native, perennial vine that clambers over other plants; prefers disturbed habitat, though it is sometimes seen in natural areas. Native of Europe.
stems: Stems sprawling or climbing, branched, purple and slightly hairy when young (becoming brown and woody with age).
leaves: Leaves alternate, on minutely winged petioles, arrowhead-shaped with 2 basal lobes, to nearly 4 in. long, mostly smooth.
inflorescence:
flowers: Flowers in a few drooping clusters of 6-20, from stems or axils of leaves; purple or violet; consisting of petals bent backward and upward around a central downward-pointing "cone" of united stamens.
fruits: Fruit a shiny, oval berry that starts out green and turns scarlet when ripe.
comments: Stem and leaves have a strong odor when bruised.
cultural notes:
germination code:
native range: Europe & Asia
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