Climbing Nightshade

Did you know

• The common name 'bittersweet nightshade' comes from the taste: the stems are first bitter, then sweet when chewed.
• The star-shaped purple flowers with bright yellow cone-shaped stamens closely resemble those of its relative, the tomato.
• The berries transition through green, yellow, orange, and bright red stages, all visible on the same plant at once.
• Despite being mildly toxic, birds can eat the ripe red berries without harm and are the primary seed dispersers.
• This plant has been used in European herbal medicine since ancient Greek times, though it requires careful dosing.

Color meanings

Uses

• traditional herbal medicine
• wildlife habitat
• historical remedy