NIGHTSHADE, BITTERSWEET (SOLANUM DULCAMARA)
There are two naturalized species of nightshades in Nova Scotia: one is a climbing vine, and the other is an erect herb. Both have simple leaves, sometimes with lobes at their base, and white or purple flowers resembling those of the potato or tomato, to which they are related.
Nightshades originated in Europe, but rapidly assumed the status of weed, growing everywhere: behind beaches, along fences and roadsides, or anywhere the soil has been disturbed. The main risk is accidental consumption of the berries, particularly by children.
The related black nightshade (S. nigrum) presents similar threats
Symptoms resemble those caused by ingestion of green potatoes: abdominal distress, headaches, and weakness, among more serious indications.
Most toxic are the leaves and unripened (green) berries.
POISON LOCATION
All parts are toxic, especially seeds, fruit, and leaves.
POISON TYPE
Indole alkaloids in jimsonweed; and solanine, another toxic alkaloid, in green potatoes and nightshades.
TYPICAL POISONING SCENARIO
Misuse in herbal medicines or in an attempt to induce hallucinations is the most common problem with jimsonweed. Its alkaloid toxins are related to those found in “magic” mushrooms, but they are potentially fatal.
Children sometimes mistake nightshade berries for edible garden fruits of the same family, such as wonderberry, sunberry, or garden huckleberry. It is worth teaching them either to identify edible wild berries accurately or to leave all wild berries alone.
SYMPTOMS
Symptoms of jimsonweed poisoning include intense thirst, blurred vision, headaches, nausea, fever, high blood pressure, hallucinations, and sometimes, convulsions, coma, and death. Even prolonged breathing of the fragrance from jimsonweed flowers can produce mild symptoms, and less than 5 grams of leaves or seeds eaten by a child will be fatal. This is why official action has been taken to control the plant before it becomes more widespread.
Symptoms of nightshade poisoning are generally similar, but less extreme.
NIGHTSHADE, BITTERSWEET POISON INFORMATION
Glycosides
Glycosides are toxins in which at least one sugar molecule is linked with oxygen to another compound, often nitrogen-based. They become harmful when the sugar molecule is stripped off, as in the process of digestion.
SEE ALSO
POISON PLANT LOOKUP
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