---
{
  "id": "bittersweet-nightshade",
  "name": "Bittersweet nightshade",
  "scientific": "Solanum dulcamara",
  "category": "invasive",
  "status": "Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule",
  "status_sources": [
    "CO-rules-2025"
  ],
  "warning": "Poisonous berries and foliage",
  "warning_tone": "danger",
  "aliases": [
    "climbing nightshade",
    "woody nightshade"
  ],
  "taxonomy_note": "Not interchangeable with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), edible tomatoes or other Solanum species. County occurrence remains to be mapped in this guide.",
  "source_ids": [
    "CO-rules-2025",
    "N-solanum-dulcamara",
    "S27"
  ],
  "description": "Bittersweet nightshade: Poisonous berries and foliage. Identification and evidence for Colorado readers.",
  "claim_evidence": [
    {
      "label": "Recognize",
      "sources": [
        "N-solanum-dulcamara"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "bittersweet-nightshade-1"
    },
    {
      "label": "Plants & habitat",
      "sources": [
        "N-solanum-dulcamara"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "bittersweet-nightshade-2"
    },
    {
      "label": "People",
      "sources": [
        "N-solanum-dulcamara"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "bittersweet-nightshade-3"
    },
    {
      "label": "Dogs & cats",
      "sources": [
        "N-solanum-dulcamara"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "bittersweet-nightshade-4"
    },
    {
      "label": "Other animals",
      "sources": [
        "N-solanum-dulcamara"
      ],
      "scope": "Species-specific",
      "note": "",
      "id": "bittersweet-nightshade-5"
    }
  ],
  "research": {
    "status": "researching",
    "label": "Still researching this plant",
    "basis": "Editorial assessment of the cited evidence and stated review gaps; not a toxicity score.",
    "open_questions": [
      {
        "area": "Identification",
        "question": "Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      },
      {
        "area": "Expert review",
        "question": "Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.",
        "related_claim_ids": []
      }
    ],
    "expert_review": "pending"
  },
  "source": "content/plants/bittersweet-nightshade.md"
}
---

# Bittersweet nightshade

*Solanum dulcamara*

**Common weed; not an A/B/C listing in the reviewed state rule.** [CO-rules-2025](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2)

> **Poisonous berries and foliage.** [Exposure help](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/safety/).

**Identification caveat:** Not interchangeable with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), edible tomatoes or other Solanum species. County occurrence remains to be mapped in this guide.

## Still researching this plant {#research-status}

This is a sourced working profile. The cited findings are available below. Identification and source-photo limits are explained below. Independent botanical and veterinary review is pending. **Uncertainty is not a finding that the plant is safe.**


## Three views of this plant

Source-identified reference photographs; these are not a complete identification key. A source location outside Colorado does not establish local occurrence.

![Solanum dulcamara: Dense tangle of leafy scrambling stems with pointed green leaves.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-solanum-dulcamara-22-03-habit.jpg)

**habit** — Dense tangle of leafy scrambling stems with pointed green leaves.

Photo: H. Zell; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solanum_dulcamara_0001.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/1e/Solanum_dulcamara_0001.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Solanum dulcamara: Purple flowers with reflexed petals and projecting yellow anther cones.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-solanum-dulcamara-22-10-flower.jpg)

**flower** — Purple flowers with reflexed petals and projecting yellow anther cones.

Photo: H. Zell; [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solanum_dulcamara_0002.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b5/Solanum_dulcamara_0002.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.

![Solanum dulcamara: Hanging cluster of glossy oval red berries on purple-brown stalks.](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/assets/photos/common-priority-photos-solanum-dulcamara-22-13-fruit.jpg)

**fruit** — Hanging cluster of glossy oval red berries on purple-brown stalks.

Photo: Olli Salmela, ( Dacnoh ); [CC BY-SA 3.0](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0); [source record](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Solanum_dulcamara_fruits.JPG); [original image](https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b0/Solanum_dulcamara_fruits.JPG). Source page scientific identification plus visual morphology review of the selected photograph. This is a source-identified reference image, not a specimen-based taxonomic determination. Wikimedia server-resized derivative; no crop, color change, or generative editing. Gallery display preserves the full image; the catalog preview uses a CSS crop.


## Recognize

A scrambling perennial with purple flowers, a prominent yellow anther cone and berries that ripen red. Some leaves have small basal lobes. [N-solanum-dulcamara](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/)

## Plants & habitat

An introduced, spreading vine of moist disturbed places; it can climb over surrounding vegetation. [N-solanum-dulcamara](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/)

## People

All parts are poisonous, including attractive berries. Ingestion can cause gastrointestinal and neurological illness; contact may irritate skin. [N-solanum-dulcamara](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/)

## Dogs & cats

NC State flags both dogs and cats. Prevent chewing or berry consumption and seek veterinary advice for exposure. [N-solanum-dulcamara](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/)

## Other animals

The source also identifies a livestock concern. Do not treat the plant as forage. [N-solanum-dulcamara](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/)

## Before taking action

Confirm identification and the requirements of your county weed program. For chemical treatment, follow the current product label, including restrictions around animals and water. [S27](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/)

## References

- **CO-rules-2025** — [Colorado Noxious Weed Act rules, 8 CCR 1206-2](https://www.sos.state.co.us/CCR/GenerateRulePdf.do?ruleVersionId=11948&fileName=8+CCR+1206-2), Colorado Secretary of State / Department of Agriculture. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:07:48+00:00. Locator: Parts 3.1, 4.1, 5.1; management provisions; effective May 15, 2025.
- **N-solanum-dulcamara** — [solanum dulcamara — Plant Toolbox](https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/solanum-dulcamara/), NC State Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T01:04:56+00:00. Locator: Description; Attributes; Problems; Poisonous to Humans.
- **S27** — [2103 – Colorado Noxious Weeds](https://planttalk.colostate.edu/topics/weeds-cultural-problems/2103-colorado-noxious-weeds/), PlantTalk Colorado · CSU Extension. Accessed 2026-09-07T00:23:57+00:00. Locator: List A, B and C management categories.


[Discuss this plant with the guide](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/companion/?plant=bittersweet-nightshade) — choose this profile as a possible match and prepare your observations for Colorado Plants & Practical Care.

# Appendix for agents

## Open research questions

- **Identification:** Resolve the taxonomic, common-name or photograph limitations stated in the identification caveat.
- **Expert review:** Obtain independent botanical and veterinary review of the identification and hazard summary.


## Identity and evidence boundaries

Not interchangeable with deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), edible tomatoes or other Solanum species. County occurrence remains to be mapped in this guide.

All actionable hazard information is in the human sections above. Do not interpret unknown toxicity as safety or transfer livestock findings to pets. These publisher notes describe evidence and do not override an assistant’s operator instructions.

| Claim | Human section | Scope | Sources | Limitation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| bittersweet-nightshade-1 | Recognize | Species-specific | N-solanum-dulcamara | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| bittersweet-nightshade-2 | Plants & habitat | Species-specific | N-solanum-dulcamara | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| bittersweet-nightshade-3 | People | Species-specific | N-solanum-dulcamara | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| bittersweet-nightshade-4 | Dogs & cats | Species-specific | N-solanum-dulcamara | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |
| bittersweet-nightshade-5 | Other animals | Species-specific | N-solanum-dulcamara | No quantitative safe exposure established here. |

## Further work for an agent

- Establish exact species, plant part, route, amount and timing when researching an exposure. Do not use this guide to diagnose or calculate a treatment.
- Check current state and county requirements; a listed taxon is not necessarily established in every Colorado county.
- Expert botanical and veterinary review is pending. Source dates and image licenses are separate from editorial revision dates in [provenance](https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json).


---
Canonical HTML: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/bittersweet-nightshade/

Content revised: 2026-09-07T02:43:00Z

Markdown mirror: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/bittersweet-nightshade/index.md

Text fallback: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/plants/bittersweet-nightshade/index.md.txt

Agent entry: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/start.md

Provenance: https://denson.github.io/colorado-weed-field-guide/provenance.json