Toxic invasive vine spotted growing wild in Victoria, BC
iNaturalist: bbteethbirbs
Invasive Species
If you've got kids, pets, or a shady fence line in coastal BC, this is the vine with the red-and-purple flowers and bright red berries that's easy to mistake for a harmless ornamental but is toxic if eaten.
Someone out walking in Victoria, BC spotted a bittersweet nightshade plant and logged it on iNaturalist, where other naturalists confirmed the identification. It's a climbing vine with purple star-shaped flowers and red berries that looks pretty but is actually toxic and considered invasive in much of North America. These small, verified sightings add up to a map of where this plant is spreading.
Key Findings
Observation was verified to 'research grade' status on iNaturalist, meaning the species ID was confirmed by the community.
Location recorded is Victoria, BC, postal code V8X 3W2, indicating an established population in a residential or park setting.
Bittersweet nightshade is non-native to North America and its berries and foliage contain toxic alkaloids.
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist confirmed a sighting of bittersweet nightshade, an invasive vine with toxic berries, growing in Victoria, BC. This kind of everyday observation helps track where invasive and poisonous plants are spreading in urban and natural areas.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) observed in Victoria, BC V8X 3W2, Canada
Research-grade observation of bittersweet nightshade in Victoria, BC V8X 3W2, Canada.
open_in_new Read full abstractAbstract copyright held by the original publisher.
Species Mentioned
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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, snakeber...