Solanum dulcamara

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide-ranging presence throughout several regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing across the landscapes of Denmark and Finland. Its distribution also extends to the islands of Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species is documented within the territories of Norway. These locations highlight the specific northern habitats where the species thrives.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Solanum dulcamara is characterized by its preference for moisture-rich environments, frequently inhabiting canals, wet meadows, rivers, and shrubberies. This species exhibits a significant vertical distribution across various landscapes, occupying an elevational range that begins at a minimum of 1300 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 3300 m AMSL. Within this altitudinal span, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 3150 m AMSL, indicating a strong adaptation to high-altitude ecosystems and riparian zones.

Elevational range max:

3300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3150 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1300 m AMSL

Habitat :

canals, meadows: wet, rivers, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Solanum dulcamara is characterized by its nature as a perennial plant, a classification that allows it to persist across multiple growing seasons. As a phanerophyte, specifically exhibiting life forms such as phanerophyte and nanophanerophyte, its regenerative buds are elevated above the ground level, typically manifesting as a climbing or trailing woody vine. The plant follows a deciduous lifecycle, meaning it sheds its foliage annually in response to seasonal changes. While its development can be variable, it maintains a consistent presence in its ecosystem through its perennial longevity, often surviving for many years through its ability to re-establish itself after periods of dormancy.

Deciduousness :

deciduous

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Lifespan :

1

Morphology

The morphology of Solanum dulcamara is characterized by a woody, climbing growth habit, functioning as an obligatory liana. As a terrestrial species, it exhibits a versatile growth form that can be described as both a shrub and a forb. The plant is an independent organism, not acting as a parasite or an epiphyte. In terms of stature, it shows significant variation in plant height, ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 4 m, with a mean height of approximately 1.6125 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

liana

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

4 m

Plant height mean:

1.6125 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Solanum dulcamara is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. As a non-carnivorous species, it relies entirely on autotrophic nutrient acquisition through its root system and soil uptake. The plant's foliar morphology plays a critical role in its resource management, featuring leaves with a mean length of 5.25 cm (ranging from a minimum of 3 cm to a maximum of 15 cm) and a mean width of 2.75 cm (varying from 1.5 cm to 4 cm). These dimensions contribute to a mean leaf size of approximately 19.03258 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 346.43 cm²/g, a physiological trait that reflects its leaf thickness and its strategy for balancing light interception with water-use efficiency and metabolic costs.

Carnivory :

non-carnivorous

Leaf length max:

15 cm

Leaf length mean:

5.25 cm

Leaf length min:

3 cm

Leaf size mean:

19.03258 cm²

Leaf width max:

4 cm

Leaf width mean:

2.75 cm

Leaf width min:

1.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

346.43 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Solanum dulcamara is primarily a sexual process, facilitated by its bisexual flowers. The flowering period typically begins in June and extends through September. The plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the species is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive strategy is well-integrated with its environment through specialized fruit and seed traits. The fruit is characterized as a fleshy, indehiscent berry, with an average length of approximately 0.63 cm (ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 cm) and an average width of 0.52 cm (ranging from 0.6 to 0.8 cm). Each berry contains a high volume of seeds, often exceeding 1,000 per fruit. These seeds are quite small, with a mean mass of approximately 0.02008 g (ranging from 0.0012959 g to 0.3 g), a mean length of 2.5 mm, and a consistent mean volume of 1.4 mm³. The dispersal of the plant is achieved via a zoochorous syndrome, specifically through endozoochory, where animals consume the fleshy berries and disperse the seeds through their digestive tracts. No asexual reproduction methods were identified for this species.

Dehiscence :

indehiscent

Dispersal syndrome :

zoochorous

Dispersal syndrome :

endozoochorous

Flowering time :

Jun

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit dryness :

fleshy

Fruit length max:

0.8 cm

Fruit length mean:

0.633333333333333 cm

Fruit length min:

0.6 cm

Fruit type :

berry

Fruit width max:

0.8 cm

Fruit width mean:

0.523333333333333 cm

Fruit width min:

0.6 cm

Pollination syndrome :

insect

Pollination syndrome :

biotic

Reproduction asexual :

absent

Reproduction sexual :

bisexual

Seed length mean:

2.5 mm

Seed mass max:

0.3 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0200806035 g

Seed mass min:

0.0012959 g

Seed volume max:

1.4 mm³

Seeds_per_fruit :

>1000

Self fertilization :

present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Solanum dulcamara has 35 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include 15alpha-Hydroxysoladulcidine, 15alpha-Hydroxysolasodine, 2,4-Methylene cholesterol, 31-nor-Lanosterol, ATROPINE.

15alpha-Hydroxysoladulcidine

1. Dr. Duke

15alpha-Hydroxysolasodine

1. Dr. Duke

2,4-Methylene cholesterol

1. Dr. Duke

31-nor-Lanosterol

1. Dr. Duke

ATROPINE

1. Dr. Duke

BETA-SITOSTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

BRASSICASTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

CAMPESTEROL

1. Dr. Duke

Citrostadienol

1. Dr. Duke

Cycloartenol

1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Solanum dulcamara has 129 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Allergenic, Analgesic, Androgenic, Anesthetic, Angiogenic.

Allergenic

1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anesthetic

1. Dr. Duke

Angiogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Anhydrotic

1. Dr. Duke

Anorexic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiadenomic

1. Dr. Duke

Antiandrogenic

1. Dr. Duke

Antianoxic

1. Dr. Duke

Medicinal Uses

Solanum dulcamara has 1 reported medicinal uses identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include wounds.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations