Bloomipedia
Bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)
Photo: Bruce Cook via iNaturalist · CC0 · resized

Flower profile

Bittersweet nightshade

Solanum dulcamara

Introduced in the lower 48

Bittersweet nightshade is a wildflower that USDA PLANTS lists as introduced in the lower 48 states. It's on our flower lists for 21 states, and across the U.S. it's most often seen in bloom in May–September.

41states
21of our state lists
62,346U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Jersey, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Utah, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin

🚫
Regulated invasive plant in Connecticut. It's on that state' official invasive plant list (Connecticut: Prohibited invasive plant (some listings take effect on later dates; see the statute)). Please don't plant or share it there. CGS § 22a-381d

Quick look

Solanum dulcamara is a species of vine in the genus Solanum of the family Solanaceae. Common names include bittersweet, bittersweet nightshade, bitter nightshade, blue bindweed, Amara Dulcis, climbing nightshade, felonwort, fellenwort, felonwood, poisonberry, poisonflower, scarlet berry, snakeberry, trailing bittersweet, trailing nightshade, violet bloom, and woody nightshade.

  • It belongs to the Solanaceae family. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS describes it as an herb (forb) / a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists it as introduced in the lower 48 states and records it in 41 states. USDA PLANTS
  • In New York, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–August. iNaturalist
  • In Massachusetts, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–August. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 8,472 research-grade sightings of it in New York, ranking #12 among the 109 flowers on our New York list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 6,034 research-grade sightings of it in Massachusetts, ranking #15 among the 110 flowers on our Massachusetts list. iNaturalist
  • iNaturalist has 4,796 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #28 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist

State flower gift ideas

This one is a regulated invasive plant, so here are state flower gifts instead.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    State flower print

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    Birth-flower necklace

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    Wildflower seed favors

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    Botanical tea towel

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    Pressed-flower frame

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    Flower-garden mug

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When does it bloom?

Flowering records by month across the U.S. (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (4,559 records)
Bloom time in each of our 21 states
StateTypePeak bloomSightings*
New YorkIntroducedMay–August8,472
MassachusettsIntroducedMay–August6,034
WashingtonIntroducedMay–September4,796
PennsylvaniaIntroducedMay–August4,359
MichiganIntroducedMay–September4,331
WisconsinIntroducedMay–August4,266
IllinoisIntroducedMay–August3,804
OhioIntroducedMay–August3,487
MinnesotaIntroducedJune–September3,340
MaineIntroducedJune–September2,391
VermontIntroducedJune–August1,739
New JerseyIntroducedMay–September1,698
IdahoIntroducedMay–September1,317
IndianaIntroducedMay–September1,184
ConnecticutIntroducedMay–August1,121
UtahIntroducedMay–October1,064
MontanaIntroducedfew records524
Rhode IslandIntroducedJune–September523
IowaIntroducedJune–September407
South DakotaIntroducedfew records214
North DakotaIntroducedJune–September135

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA)
Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. USFWS ECOS
NatureServe global
GNR Not yet ranked worldwide. NatureServe
New York
Not listed Not on New York protected native plants (6 NYCRR § 193.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New York. 6 NYCRR § 193.3
Massachusetts
Not listed Not on Massachusetts Endangered Species Act list (321 CMR 10.90). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Massachusetts. MESA list
Washington
No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Washington.
Pennsylvania
Not listed Not on Pennsylvania classified native plants (17 Pa. Code Ch. 45, Subchapter B, as amended 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Pennsylvania. 17 Pa. Code Ch. 45
Michigan
Not listed Not on Michigan endangered and threatened plants (Mich. Admin. Code R 299.1028, eff. March 20, 2023). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Michigan. R 299.1028
Wisconsin
Not listed Not on Wisconsin endangered and threatened species list (Wis. Admin. Code NR 27.03). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Wisconsin. NR 27.03
Illinois
Not listed Not on Illinois List of Endangered and Threatened Flora (17 Ill. Adm. Code 1050), per the Endangered Species Protection Board's 2025 checklist. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Illinois. IL E&T checklist 2025
Ohio
Not listed Not on Ohio endangered and threatened plants (Ohio Adm. Code 1501:18-1-03, eff. Dec. 26, 2024). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Ohio. OAC 1501:18-1-03
Minnesota
Not listed Not on Minnesota endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Minn. R. 6134.0300). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Minnesota. Minn. R. 6134.0300
Maine
Not listed Not on Maine Rare Plant List (Maine Natural Areas Program, 2021). E and T are Maine's official endangered and threatened plants (12 M.R.S.); SC and PE are tracking categories. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Maine. Maine rare plant list
Vermont
Not listed Not on Endangered and Threatened Plants of Vermont (10 V.S.A. chap. 123; list of Feb 10, 2022). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Vermont. Vermont E&T list
New Jersey
Not listed Not on New Jersey Endangered Plant Species List (N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in New Jersey. N.J.A.C. 7:5C-5.1
Idaho
No list Idaho has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Idaho ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Idaho.
Indiana
No list Indiana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the DNR keeps a rare plant list, but it isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Indiana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Indiana.
Connecticut
Not listed Not on Connecticut Endangered, Threatened and Special Concern Plants (RCSA 26-306; 2015 list). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Connecticut. CT E/T/SC list
Utah
No list Utah has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Utah ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Utah.
Montana
No list Montana has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Montana ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Montana.
Rhode Island
Not listed Not on Rhode Island Rare Plants 2016 (RI Natural History Survey, from the RI Wildlife Action Plan; informational, Rhode Island has no state plant-protection listing law). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Rhode Island. RI rare plants 2016
Iowa
Not listed Not on Iowa endangered, threatened and special concern plants (Iowa Admin. Code r. 571-77.3). NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in Iowa. IAC 571-77.3
South Dakota
No list South Dakota's endangered and threatened list (ARSD 41:10:02) covers animals only, so we show NatureServe's South Dakota ranks for plants. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in South Dakota.
North Dakota
No list North Dakota has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's North Dakota ranks instead. NatureServe: SNA, not applicable (usually because it isn't native there) in North Dakota.
Rare elsewhere
No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleCaution: partly edible, partly poisonous

NC State Extension lists it as poisonous to humans (severity: high). Poisonous parts: bark, flowers, fruits, leaves, roots, sap/juice, seeds, stems. Symptoms they list: “Highly toxic, may be fatal if eaten. Nausea, vomiting, salivation, drowsiness, abdominal pain, low blood pressure, low heart rate, diarrhea, dilated pupils, weakness, respiratory depression; may be fatal to humans, pets, and livestock.” They also note: “The plant is toxic, especially the leaves and berries, and is non-edible.” NC State Extension

For petsToxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Climbing Nightshade” (Solanum dulcamara) lists it as toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Signs include: Vomiting, diarrhea - common. Drowsiness, low blood pressure, low heart rate -… ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records bittersweet nightshade in 41 states plus Washington, D.C.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming; District of Columbia.

New York counties with USDA records: Albany, Allegany, Bronx, Broome, Cattaraugus, Cayuga, Chautauqua, Chemung, Chenango, Clinton, Columbia, Cortland, Delaware, Dutchess, Erie, Essex, Genesee, Jefferson, Kings, Lewis, Livingston, Madison, Monroe, Nassau, New York, Niagara, Oneida, Onondaga, Ontario, Orange, Orleans, Oswego, Putnam, Queens, Rensselaer, Richmond, Rockland, Saratoga, Schoharie, Schuyler, St. Lawrence, Suffolk, Tompkins, Ulster, Warren, Washington, Westchester, Yates.

Massachusetts counties with USDA records: Barnstable, Berkshire, Bristol, Dukes, Essex, Franklin, Hampden, Hampshire, Middlesex, Nantucket, Norfolk, Plymouth, Suffolk, Worcester.

Washington counties with USDA records: Adams, Asotin, Benton, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Garfield, Grant, Grays Harbor, Island, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Lincoln, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.

More New York flowers

Carolina horsenettle (Solanum carolinense)

Carolina horsenettle

Solanum carolinense

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🌼 Blooms in NY: June–September
Sacred datura (Datura wrightii)

Sacred datura

Datura wrightii

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🌼 Blooms: March–November
Jimsonweed (Datura stramonium)

Jimsonweed

Datura stramonium

Introduced

🌼 Blooms: June–October

Sources