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Melia azedarach close up of flowers

Solanum dulcamara

Common Name(s):

Phonetic Spelling
so-LAN-num dull-kah-MAH-rah
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Bittersweet is a poisonous woody vine in the nightshade family.  It is found all over the state in cultivated and disturbed areas roadsides, edges of moist woods, waste places, fencerows, or naturalized areas. 

 

 

 

 

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Variegatum
Variegatum
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#weedy#red fruits#disturbed areas#naturalized area#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses
 
Solanum dulcamara
Solanum dulcamara
Solanum dulcamara
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • Variegatum
Variegatum
Tags:
#deciduous#poisonous#weedy#red fruits#disturbed areas#naturalized area#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Solanum
    Species:
    dulcamara
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Woody
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Azores, Temp. Eurasia to N. Indo-China and NW. Africa
    Distribution:
    Mountains
    Climbing Method:
    Scrambler
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Poisonous
    Vine
    Weed
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Texture:
    Fine
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5b, 5a, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8b, 8a
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Type:
    Berry
    Fruit Description:
    Bright red fruits
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Blue
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    small, 5-parted, purple, pale violet, blue, white flowers
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Hairs Present:
    No
    Leaf Description:
    Alternate, simple, usually with basal, ear-like lobe.
  • Stem:
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
    Problem for Cats
    Problem for Children
    Problem for Dogs
    Problem for Horses
    Weedy
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN! Nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, low heart rate, diarrhea, weakness, respiratory depression; may be fatal to humans, pets and livestock.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Solanine and other alkaloids
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Bark
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Sap/Juice
    Seeds
    Stems