Description
It is native to northern Africa, Europe, and Asia, but has spread throughout the world. The plant is relatively important in the diet of some species of birds such as European thrushes which feed on its fruits and are immune to its poisons, scattering the seeds abroad. It grows in all types of terrain with a preference for wetlandscitation needed and the understory of riparian forests.
Bittersweet is a semi-woody herbaceous perennial vine, which scrambles over other plants, capable of reaching a height of 4 m where suitable support is available, but more often 1 to 2 m high. The leaves are 4 to 12 cm long, roughly arrowhead shaped, and often lobed at the base.
The flowers are in loose clusters of 3 to 20, 1 to 1.5 cm across, star-shaped, with five purple petals and yellow stamens and style pointing forward. The fruit is an ovoid red berry about 1 cm long, soft and juicy.
Plant Specifications
*above specification are indicative only. actual dimensions may vary by +-10%
| Common Name |
Bittersweet,blue bindweed,snakeberry |
| Maximum Reachable Height |
15 to 20 feet |
| Flower Colour |
Greenish-white to yellow |
| Bloom Time |
May to June |
| Difficulty Level |
Easy to grow |
Planting and care
It was considered good for removing witchcraft in both men and animals, and to rid all sudden diseases whatsoever. It was also considered a remedy for vertigo or dizziness when tied about the neck.
Solanum dulcamara care
The flowers bloom from April to September, they grow in loose clusters, are star-shaped with five blue-violet (rarely white) petals that point backward and stamens that are fused in a prominent yellow cone; they grow along the branches on short stalks extending out from the stems.
| Sunlight |
Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering |
Medium |
| Soil |
Well-drained soil |
| Temperature |
39.7 degrees C |
| Fertilizer |
Apply any organic fertilizer |
Solanum dulcamara special feature
Woodland gardens, naturalized areas. Provides quick cover for fences, arbors, trellises, posts, walls or other structures in the landscape. Also may be grown along the ground to camouflage rock piles or old tree stumps.
Solanum dulcamara uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- People take bittersweet nightshade for skin conditions including eczema, itchy skin, acne, boils, broken skin, and warts
- They also take it for joint pain (rheumatism), other types of pain, and fluid retention; and as a calming agent (sedative)
- Some people apply bittersweet nightshade directly to the skin for eczema
