A climbing vine with loose flattish clusters of drooping, blue or violet, star-shaped flowers with yellow centers.

1/2" wide; corolla 5 lobed; stamens 5, with yellow anthers forming a beak-like, central cone.

To 3 1/2 long, halberd-shaped, with 2 basal lobes.

Shiny, green, tomato-like berry, turning bright red.

Vine; stems 2-8' long.

May-September.

Thickets and clearings.

This vine, introduced from Europe, has distinctive leaves. The leaves and unripe fruit contain the poisonous alkaloid solanine. Although the plant is sometimes called Deadly Nightshade, its toxin is not fatal; however, the berries are attractive to children and can cause poisoning if eaten in a large quantity. The species is called bittersweet because portions of the plant first taste bitter, then sweet. Long ago the plant was used in England to counteract witchcraft.