Post by kellyscarlet on Nov 16, 2012 19:20:28 GMT -5
Bittersweet Nightshade
There are two nightshades (Solanaceae) that grow wild on my property. My favorite is bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Also known as bittersweet, bitter nightshade, blue bindweed, Amara Dulcis, climbing nightshade, fellenwort, felonwood, poisonberry, poisonflower, scarlet berry, snakeberry, trailing bittersweet, trailing nightshade, violet bloom, or woody nightshade, the plant is a member of the potato genus.
In August, bittersweet sports beautiful blue-violet flowers and ripe red berries at the same time. I find the plant winding itself around spruce trees and climbing across my back deck. The plant is considered poisonous to humans and livestock, while birds enjoy the red berries. If the red berries are consumed by humans, they are not fatal. No part of the plant is hallucinogenic.
Bittersweet contains three known alkaloids. The berries contain solanine, the flowers contain solasodine and the roots beta-solamarine. Interestingly, these alkaloids inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus. Unripe berries are green and can cause fatal poisoning, rarely.
While bittersweet should not be burned, it makes an excellent offering to deities as well as being of use in the mantic arts. I have offered it up with rum and cake to the dead.
There are two nightshades (Solanaceae) that grow wild on my property. My favorite is bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara). Also known as bittersweet, bitter nightshade, blue bindweed, Amara Dulcis, climbing nightshade, fellenwort, felonwood, poisonberry, poisonflower, scarlet berry, snakeberry, trailing bittersweet, trailing nightshade, violet bloom, or woody nightshade, the plant is a member of the potato genus.
In August, bittersweet sports beautiful blue-violet flowers and ripe red berries at the same time. I find the plant winding itself around spruce trees and climbing across my back deck. The plant is considered poisonous to humans and livestock, while birds enjoy the red berries. If the red berries are consumed by humans, they are not fatal. No part of the plant is hallucinogenic.
Bittersweet contains three known alkaloids. The berries contain solanine, the flowers contain solasodine and the roots beta-solamarine. Interestingly, these alkaloids inhibit the growth of E. coli and S. aureus. Unripe berries are green and can cause fatal poisoning, rarely.
While bittersweet should not be burned, it makes an excellent offering to deities as well as being of use in the mantic arts. I have offered it up with rum and cake to the dead.
