BITTERSWEET Solanum dulcamara

Commonly known as Bittersweet or Woody Nightshade, is a scrambling perennial that uses other plants for support. It thrives in hedgerows, woodland edges, and damp ground, producing clusters of star-shaped purple flowers with bright yellow stamens from late spring to autumn. These mature into glossy red berries that persist into winter, providing a valuable cold-season food source for birds such as thrushes and blackcaps.

Its flowers attract a range of pollinators, including bees and hoverflies. Though toxic to humans and livestock, Solanum dulcamara plays a quiet but important role in the food web—supporting biodiversity and helping sustain wildlife in both wild and semi-managed habitats. Its presence can indicate healthy, mixed vegetation with year-round ecological benefits.

Height:1-2m

Flowers: June to September

Colour: Purple and yellow