Bittersweet Nightshade

Solanaceae

LIFE FORM: Vine

NATIVITY: Eurasia

VEGETATIVE CHARACTERISTICS:

Grows up to 10 feet long with green stems that trail along the ground or wrap around other plants; 2 leaf types: one with 2 basal lobes the other ovate.

FLOWERS:

Small flowers with purple to blue petals and a yellow center.

FRUIT/DISPERSAL AGENTS:

Small, ovate red fruits dispersed by birds; prostrate stems that root at the nodes.

ECOLOGICAL PREFERENCE:

Minimally maintained public parks and open space; vacant lots and rubble dump sites; chain-link fence lines; rock outcrops and stone walls.

ENVIRONMENTAL FUNCTION:

Drought tolerance on compacted soils, food and/or habitat for wildlife.

CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE:

The foliage of this plant is toxic; it is used in European folk medicine to treat warts and tumors; science confirms some anti-cancer activity.