Solanum dulcamara
Solanaceae
Woody Nightshade
June to September
It is found throughout the country, but is absent from the
central part of the North.
See the BSBI distribution map for Bittersweet
Bittersweet grows in woodland, hedges and hedge banks,
wasteland, neglected parts of gardens and by water.
Subspecies Solanum dulcamara var marinum grows on
shingle beaches (last 4 pictures).
Bittersweeet is an attractive, native, scrambling, woody,
perennial vine growing up to 2m.
Flowers are up to 1cm across and in cymes.
Petals are bright, light purple, and bent back.
Anthers are yellow in a tapered tube.
A single style and stigma protrude through the tube.
Fruits are egg-shaped, bright green - turning bright orange
red.
Leaves are ovate, up to 8cm long and velvety.
The stems are softly-hairy and vine-like.
They enable the plant to scramble through woody
vegetation.
The marine variant (Solanum dulcamara subspecies
marinum forms extensive patches on coastal shingle and
has fleshier leaves.
See the BSBI distribution map for this coastal species.
Previous page: Balm-leaved Figwort
Next page: Bear's-breech
Bittersweet vine in hedge
Close-up of flowers, style and tube of anthers
Green, immature berries
Mature, red berries
Leaf
Marine subspecies on coastal shingle
Marine subspecies flowers
Marine subspecies flower - just opened
Marine subspecies berries and leaves
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