Flower ID: IMG_1191.JPG-07-17-2017 Flower name (scientific): Solanum dulcamara Linnaeus PY: 1753. Pronunciation guide: (phonetic spelling) so-LAN-num dull-kah-MAH-rah Flower name (common): Bittersweet Nightshade Family name (common): Nightshade Family name (scientific): Solanaceae Scientific name origin: Genus: From the Latin solor, solari, solatus for soothe, ease, comfort. A possible reference to the narcotic character of some species. Also, an ancient Latin name used by Pliny the Elder. Specific epithet: From the Latin dulcis for sweet and amara for bitter, hence, bitter-sweet. Common name origin: From the crushed leaves and roots having a sweet taste followed by an aftertaste of bitterness. Parts of the plant have a long history of being used for medicinal applications. Nightshade is a compounding of night + shade. There may be an allusion to the berries and other parts of the plant being poisonous or narcotic. The name Flower description: Size: 0.4 to 0.6 inches (1.0 to 1.5 cm) Petal count: 5 Color: purple Other: flower arrangement, Panicle Plant description: Size: 24 to 96 inches (61 to 244 cm) Stem hairy: Other: The red berries of this plant should not be eaten; they contain solanine, a glycoalkaloid poison. Leaf description: attachment is alternate, type is simple and lobed Size: Leaves up to 10 cm long and up to 6 cm wide. Color: Hairy: Other: Shape: leaf, triangular outline with 3 deep lobes, which are broadly ovate or cordate (IL) Origin (native, introduced, invasive): Introduced, naturalized. Status (common, uncommon, threatened, rare): Common Bloom time (typical): June to September Cycle (annual, biennial, perennial): Perennial Habitat: Woods, forests, thickets, streambanks, marshes, disturbed areas, roadsides, waste areas, sun or semi-shade or shade, moist. Fruit: Seed: Importance to wildlife: Similar species (if any): No close lookalikes. Ethnobotany: No recorded uses by tribes in Wisconsin. The Delaware, Iroquois, Malecite, Micmac, and Nootka used this plant for a variety of ailments that included biliousness, nausea, sttomach and bowel issues (Moerman, pp. 534-535, 1998). Latitude: Longitude: Altitude: Distribution: In Wisconsin: (Adams, Ashland, Barron, Bayfield, Brown, Buffalo, Burnett, Calumet, Chippewa, Clark, Columbia, Crawford, Dane, Dodge, Door, Douglas, Dunn, Eau Claire, Florence, Fond du Lac, Forest, Grant, Green, Green Lake, Iowa, Iron, Jackson, Jefferson, Juneau, Kenosha, Kewaunee, La Crosse, Lafayette, Langlade, Lincoln, Manitowoc, Marathon, Marinette, Marquette, Menominee, Milwaukee, Monroe, Oconto, Oneida, Outagamie, Ozaukee, Pierce, Polk, Portage, Price, Racine, Richland, Rock, Rusk, Sauk, Sawyer, Shawano, Sheboygan, St. Croix, Taylor, Trempealeau, Vernon, Vilas, Walworth, Washington, Waukesha, Waupaca, Waushara, Winnebago, Wood) Click here for distribution map In US: (CA, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, IA, ID, IL, IN, KS, KY, MA, MD, ME, MI, MN, MO, MT, NC, ND, NE, NH, NJ, NM, NV, NY, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SD, TN, UT, VA, VT, WA, WI, WV, WY) Click here for distribution map In Canada: (BC, NB, NF, NS, ON, PE, QC, SK) Click here for distribution map References: Synonym(s): Basionym: na Homotypic Synonym(s): Heterotypic Synonym(s): Autonym: na Wetland Status (NC): FAC Wetland Status (MW): FAC