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Bittersweet

©Anne Tanne

Bittersweet

Bittersweet is a nightshade, so is toxic; its bright red berries may be tempting, but can cause serious illness. Found in hedgerows and gardens, it has purple flowers with yellow stamens.

Enw gwyddonol

Solanum dulcamara

Pryd i'w gweld

May to October

Species information

Category

Ystadegau

Height: up to 1.5m
Common.

Ynghylch

Despite being a member of the nightshade family, Bittersweet (also known as 'Woody Nightshade') is one of the less toxic plants in this group, althought its berries are still poisonous. Found in hedgerows, gardens and even on shingle beaches, its purple flowers appear from May to September, and are followed by clusters of bright red berries.

Sut i'w hadnabod

Bittersweet has oval, pointed leaves that are yellowy-green in colour. Purple flowers, with protruding yellow stamens, appear before the bright red, cherry tomato-like berries that hang in clusters.

Dosbarthiad

Widespread, but less common in Scotland.

Roeddech chi yn gwybod?

The leaves of Bittersweet smell of burnt rubber when crushed.