86 



NIGHTSHADE OR POTATO FAMILY (Solanacece) 



BITTERSWEET (Solarium Dulcamara L.) 

 PLATE XXXIV. 



COMMON NAMES : This species of Solanum is sometimes called the 

 woody nightshade, bittersweet-nightshade, scarlet berry, violet bloom 

 and fever-twig. 



DESCRIPTION: The bittersweet is a climbing, somewhat woody and 

 hairy perennial, three to seven feet high, with thin green leaves paler on 

 the underside. The leaves are stalked, heart-shaped, the upper with 

 two ear-like lobes at the base. The flowers are loosely clustered, rich 

 purple with bright yellow stamens arranged in a cone at the centre. The 

 berries, which give the plant a very attractive appearance in the autumn, 

 are bright scarlet when ripe. Often on the same cluster of fruit, bright 

 green, pale yellow, orange, and scarlet berries are seen. The seeds are 

 round, flat, and yellow. The plant is in bloom from June to September. 



DISTRIBUTION : Introduced from Europe, it is now rather common 

 in Canada from New Brunswick to Ontario, chiefly found on moist woody 

 banks, borders of streams, and around dwellings. It also occurs in British 

 Columbia. 



POISONOUS PROPERTIES: The stems, leaves, and berries contain the 

 alkaloid solanine. The stems contain, as well, the glucoside dulcamarin 

 which gives the plant its peculiar bitter-sweet taste, and which has not 

 yet been fully investigated. The degree of toxicity of the plant has not 

 been determined; no doubt it varies under certain conditions. Chesnut 

 says, "Besides solanin (0.3 per cent) this plant contains another less 

 poisonous compound, dulcamarin ... Neither of the compounds 

 is abundant. The berry, though its taste is not remarkably disagreeable, 

 is somewhat poisonous, and it has been shown that an extract of the leaves 

 is moderately so. The plant has nevertheless caused some ill effect." 

 Schimpfky reports that the berries have been used to poison dogs, and the 

 juice of the fruit acts as a poison to rabbits. 



ANIMALS AFFECTED : Bittersweet, under ordinary conditions, is 

 hardly likely to be eaten by stock. Gillam, however, records (Veterinary 

 Record, 1906) a case of poisoning of sheep. 



SYMPTOMS : In the case of sheep poisoning reported by Gillam, the 

 symptoms given were, small, intermittent pulse, temperature 104 1'.. 

 quickened respiration, staggering gait, dilated pupil, and greenish diarrhoea. 



REMEDY AND MEANS OF CONTROL: About thickets and on the edges 

 of woods where children are likely to be attracted by its crimson fruit, 

 the plant should be cut off when in flower, caustic soda or hot brine should 



