Bittersweet nightshade, bittersweet, bitter nightshade, blue bindweed, climbing nightshade, deadly nightshade, dulcamara, European nightshade, woody nightshade
Description: perennial vine
Place of origin: Africa, Europe, Asia
Urban habitat: commonly found in disturbed sites, along roadsides, around buildings, construction sites
Ecological function: disturbance-adapted colonizer; has preference for wet areas and is flood tolerant.
History: All parts of Solanum dulcamara are toxic, although the plant has a history of human use medicinally for treatment of skin diseases, including warts, eczema, acne, and tumors, as well as in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, heart ailments, ulcerative colitis and jaundice. When used in excess, the plant can cause paralyzes the central nervous system, slows the heart and respiration, and lowers temperature, causing vertigo, delirium, convulsions and death. It is considered invasive in many parts of North America.