Toxic climbing vine spotted growing wild in Seattle neighborhood
iNaturalist: wshenton
Invasive Species
If you've got a shady fence line or vacant lot nearby, this purple-flowered vine may already be creeping in, and its berries are poisonous to kids and pets if eaten.
Someone out walking near Ravenna Boulevard in Seattle noticed a vine with small purple, star-shaped flowers and bright red berries and snapped a photo for iNaturalist. That plant is bittersweet nightshade, a scrambling vine originally from Europe and Asia that now grows wild across much of North America, often along fences, in hedges, and in disturbed urban ground. It looks pretty but every part of it, especially the unripe berries, is mildly toxic if eaten.
Key Findings
Observation was verified as 'research grade' on iNaturalist, meaning the identification is confirmed by multiple users
Location pinpointed to the NE Ravenna Blvd & Park Rd NE intersection in Seattle, WA (98105)
Solanum dulcamara is a non-native, widely naturalized vine in the Pacific Northwest, commonly found in disturbed urban and edge habitats
chevron_right Technical Summary
A citizen scientist spotted bittersweet nightshade, a toxic but common vine, growing along a Seattle street corner and logged it on iNaturalist for other naturalists to see.
Abstract Preview
Original paper
bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) observed in NE Ravenna Blvd & Park Rd NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA
Research-grade observation of bittersweet nightshade in NE Ravenna Blvd & Park Rd NE, Seattle, WA 98105, USA.
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...