Wednesday, July 20, 2011

N/ Alphabe-Thursday

Tiny purple flowers of climbing NIGHTSHADE (Solanum dulcamara)

Also known as bittersweet or woody NIGHTSHADE  (but it is not deadly NIGHTSHADE), this is a woody perennial that grows one to three metres (3 to 10 feet) tall. It probably grows some place near you unless you live in one of Canada's Prairie Provinces or in one of the most southern states in the U.S.

A cluster of inedible, somewhat poisonous red berries

Climbing NIGHTSHADE is a relative of tomatoes and potatoes. BUT don't eat them! Although rare, eating these berries can kill you.

I am linking to Jenny Matlock at Alphabe-Thursday HERE



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33 comments:

  1. LowellJuly 20, 2011 at 3:07 PM

    I don't know much about either of these plants, but the word, "nightshade," sounds very ominous!

    I shall try to avoid eating them!

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  2. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 3:26 PM

    Nightshade is (or can be) often fatal to small children who are attracted to the bright red berries. I always taught my kids (when they were little) never to eat anything they couldn't positively id... I follow that myself.. ie: mushrooms. Nicely captured...

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  3. Personalized Sketches and SentimentsJuly 20, 2011 at 5:57 PM

    such vibrant colors! Isnt it amazing that although you mentioned that they are related to tomatoes and potatoes, they are very poisonous? Don't you wonder how it was that people discovered which fruits, berries and other "finds" were edible or not? or the stories behind those that tried something for the first time and discovered what was good or not?

    Blessings & Aloha!
    ...been a way from blogland, but happy to visit today.

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  4. My name is RietJuly 20, 2011 at 5:59 PM

    What a good idea Great letter N . Nightshade.

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  5. RoseJuly 20, 2011 at 6:16 PM

    It is still beautiful...I had thought it resembled tomatoes but had never checked into it. And had never even thought of potatoes but now that you mention it, I can see it.

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  6. KathyJuly 20, 2011 at 6:46 PM

    I must live in one of those Southern states where it doesn't grow! Pretty name.

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  7. ~✽Mumsy✽~July 20, 2011 at 6:53 PM

    Your photos are gorgeous of the nightshade! We had them grown in our yard along the fence, and other people have informed me that they're called deadly nightshade.

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  8. Judy July 20, 2011 at 7:11 PM

    There's a poem about eating red and white berries. I just can't find it, but if I do I will share it.

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  9. BettyJuly 20, 2011 at 7:16 PM

    I'm sure it doesn't grow here, but pretty with the purple flowers and red berries. I can see where those berries would be attractive to kids.

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  10. LaJuly 20, 2011 at 7:35 PM

    Beautiful, yet deadly...I'm sure there is a parable in there somewhere...

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  11. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 7:45 PM

    Dawg-gone it these berries look delish,it's a shame you can't eat 'em.
    Your photo's are fantastic!
    I'm your newest follower.
    Hope you can visit LazyonLoblolly and follow back.
    ~Jo
    LazyonLoblolly

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  12. GeorgeJuly 20, 2011 at 8:07 PM

    I'm not familiar with Nightshade, but I'll be sure to stay away from the berries.

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  13. AndreaJuly 20, 2011 at 8:35 PM

    I am glad to see another cousin of the eggplant, tomatoes, potatoes. The berries are beautiful. I once posted also a poisonous cousin, the Solanum mammosum, the species might intrigue you! The fruits are yellow, bright yellow.

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  14. Esther JoyJuly 20, 2011 at 9:31 PM

    Those inedible nightshade berries look a lot like wild cranberries, if I remember them right from my long ago childhood!

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  15. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 9:58 PM

    What a pretty plant! I had thought it was always poisonous.

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  16. MichelleJuly 20, 2011 at 10:26 PM

    Great shots!

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  17. JackJuly 20, 2011 at 11:10 PM

    This looks like a weedy vine in my yard that I am always pulling out. I don't know if it is nightshade or not.

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  18. AnonymousJuly 20, 2011 at 11:11 PM

    I really need to figure out a bit more about nightshade. I think I have some on my property, and I'm thinking the goats should not eat it. Glad you posted this!

    Teresa

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  19. JudieJuly 20, 2011 at 11:13 PM

    The leaves and "eyes" of the potato plant are poisonous. Your photos are excellent!

    I hope you will take the time to review one of the sites on my sidebars.

    Thanks for your comment!

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  20. Tina´s PicStoryJuly 21, 2011 at 1:09 AM

    Beautiful shots! :) - I don´t know which birds are in the nest. LG Tina

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  21. cieldequimperJuly 21, 2011 at 2:27 AM

    Pretty name, pretty flower!

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  22. PondsideJuly 21, 2011 at 2:37 AM

    No, we wont' be eating those berries, no matter how pretty!

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  23. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪July 21, 2011 at 4:50 AM

    before I read the commentary, I wanted to say the deadly nightshade in Singapore is a shrub, not vine.

    Imagine what the poisonous berries can do to a child.

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  24. Elisa N ViajesJuly 21, 2011 at 7:07 AM

    I didn´t know "nightshade"
    It sounds like... Batman!
    Greetings

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  25. Theresa PlasJuly 21, 2011 at 8:22 AM

    Always enjoy your beautiful photos for Alphabe-Thursday!

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  26. People Who Know Me Would Say:July 21, 2011 at 8:36 AM

    Stellar photos and a very unique N post. Love the bittersweet berry photo best - such rich color and sharp detail!

    I'm your newest follower.

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  27. jabblogJuly 21, 2011 at 10:12 AM

    Beauty can be deadly sometimes!

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  28. Rocky Mountain WomanJuly 21, 2011 at 11:12 AM

    Beautiful captures (as always!)

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  29. JennyJuly 21, 2011 at 11:46 AM

    I've always thought nature did a brilliant job enticing 'customers' with that lovely purple flower and glowing red berries!

    I think eggplant are members of the nightshade family, too.

    Thanks for a nicely entertaining N link today!

    A+

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  30. The PoetJuly 21, 2011 at 5:21 PM

    Purple is probably my most favorite color. To me, "Nightshade" sounds quite poetic (guess the poet in me would think so when others don't).
    Anyway, lovely photos.

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  31. Cezar and LéiaJuly 22, 2011 at 3:55 AM

    Magnificent colors, those berries are fantastic, wonderful shots!
    Léia

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  32. JayLeighJuly 22, 2011 at 4:08 PM

    You took such good pictures! We have these around here, too. I did a post with this plant in it for another abc meme last year. LOL Here's a link to it in case you'd like to take a peek... http://pnwnature.blogspot.com/2010/10/abc-wednesday-two-poisonous-n-plants.html

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  33. UnknownJuly 27, 2011 at 7:52 AM

    These are beautiful flowers and the berries are quite attractive too. It's too bad they're poisonous! Thanks for the warning :)

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