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Solanum dulcamara
  • Bittersweet

a perennial woody member of the Solanum genus in the family Solanaceae.

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Niche
  • Climber
    Climber
    There are no details available for this niche.
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • light shade
    Light shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • acid,neutral,alkaline
    Acid to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Clay
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 4
    Zone 4
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Solanum dulcamara has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All parts of the plant, including the fruit, are poisonous[1][2][3][4][5], though only mildly so[6][7].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Solanum dulcamara.

Material uses

There are no material uses listed for Solanum dulcamara.

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

Bittersweet is a poisonous plant that has a long history of use in the treatment of skin diseases, warts, tumours, felons etc[8]. It should be used with caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner, this is a poisonous plant that, in excess, paralyzes the central nervous system, slows the heart and respiration, and lowers temperature, causing vertigo, delirium, convulsions and death[6][8]. See also the notes above on toxicity.

All parts of the plant are alterative, anodyne, depurative, mildly diuretic, emetic, expectorant, hepatic, mildly narcotic and purgative[1][2][9][4][6][10]. The dried stem, usually collected in the autumn and preferably from the ends of branches 2 - 3 years old, is the part that is most valued medicinally, though the leaves are also used[1]. The plant is chiefly used as an alterative when taken internally in the treatment of a range of skin diseases, it is also used in the treatment of arthritis, rheumatism, bronchial congestion, heart ailments, ulcerative colitis and jaundice[1][11][8]. Externally, the plant is used to treat skin eruptions, ulcers, rheumatism and cellulite[8]. Two to three year old stems are harvested in the spring, or after the leaves have fallen in the autumn, and dried for later use[8]. The fruits are marinated in vinegar and applied to cancerous sores and other swellings[11]. A decoction of the root is used in the treatment of cancer and swellings[11]. The root is harvested in the autumn and dried for later use[8].

A homeopathic remedy is made from the fresh, green, still pliant stems and leaves, harvested as the plant begins to flower[12]. This is used in treating a variety of complaints including backaches, cough, diarrhoea, eye inflammations and joint pains[12].

Unknown part

Alterative
Anodyne
Cancer
Depurative
Diuretic
Emetic
Expectorant
Hepatic
Homeopathy
Narcotic
Purgative

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Climber

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame. When they are large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in the summer.

If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the spring.

Division in spring.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Solanum dulcamara. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

An easily grown plant, it succeeds in most soils[13][14]. Prefers a damp shady position and a neutral to alkaline soil[3][8]. Succeeds in full sun to light shade[14]. If being grown for its medicinal uses, the plant is best placed in a dry and exposed position[1]. Hardy to at least -15°c[14].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Solanum dulcamara. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Solanum dulcamara.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Solanum dulcamara
Genus
Solanum
Family
Solanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[8][6][1][2][9][4][10][11][12]
Material uses & Functions
Botanic
[15][16]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
4
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
light shade
Soil PH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
  • Strong wind
Ecosystems
Native Climate Zones
None listed.
Adapted Climate Zones
None listed.
Native Geographical Range
None listed.
Native Environment
None listed.
Ecosystem Niche
Climber
Root Zone Tendancy
None listed.
Life
Deciduous or Evergreen
?
Herbaceous or Woody
woody
Life Cycle
perennial
Growth Rate
moderate
Mature Size
2.5 x 2.5 meters
Fertility
?
Pollinators
Insects
Flower Colour
?
Flower Type
hermaphrodite

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"image:Karklavijas001.JPG|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

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References

  1. ? 1.01.11.21.31.41.5 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
  2. ? 2.02.12.2 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
  3. ? 3.03.1 Altmann. H. Poisonous Plants and Animals. Chatto and Windus ISBN 0-7011-2526-8 (1980-00-00)
  4. ? 4.04.14.2 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
  5. ? Stary. F. Poisonous Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-35666-3 (1983-00-00)
  6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
  7. ? Frohne. D. and Pf?nder. J. A Colour Atlas of Poisonous Plants. Wolfe ISBN 0723408394 (1984-00-00)
  8. ? 8.08.18.28.38.48.58.68.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
  9. ? 9.09.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
  10. ? 10.010.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
  11. ? 11.011.111.211.3 Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. ISBN 0-917256-20-4 (1985-00-00)
  12. ? 12.012.112.2 Castro. M. The Complete Homeopathy Handbook. Macmillan. London. ISBN 0-333-55581-3 (1990-00-00)
  13. ? F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
  14. ? 14.014.114.2 Davis. B. Climbers and Wall Shrubs. Viking. ISBN 0-670-82929-3 (1990-00-00)
  15. ? Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press (1962-00-00)
  16. ? Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)

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Facts about "Solanum dulcamara"RDF feed
Article is incompleteYes +
Article requires citationsNo +
Article requires cleanupYes +
Belongs to familySolanaceae +
Belongs to genusSolanum +
Has common nameBittersweet +
Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
Has environmental toleranceHigh wind +
Has fertility typeInsects +
Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
Has growth rateModerate +
Has hardiness zone4 +
Has imageKarklavijas001.JPG +
Has lifecycle typePerennial +
Has mature height2.5 +
Has mature width2.5 +
Has medicinal partUnknown part +
Has medicinal useAlterative +, Anodyne +, Cancer +, Depurative +, Diuretic +, Emetic +, Expectorant +, Hepatic +, Homeopathy +, Narcotic + and Purgative +
Has primary imageKarklavijas001.JPG +
Has search namesolanum dulcamara + and x +
Has shade toleranceLight shade +
Has soil ph preferenceAcid +, Neutral + and Alkaline +
Has soil teclayture preferenceClay +
Has soil teloamyture preferenceLoamy +
Has soil tesandyture preferenceSandy +
Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
Has sun preferenceFull sun +
Has taxonomy nameSolanum dulcamara +
Has water requirementsmoderate +
Inhabits ecosystem nicheClimber +
Is herbaceous or woodyWoody +
Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
Tolerates windYes +
Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +