For some of us, summer in Washington State means berry season. While Washingtonians aren’t short on delicious native berries, there are some plants that we ought to avoid. Bittersweet nightshades are a toxic plant in Washington that you need to know about, so let’s brush up on our botanicals!
While they may be beautiful, bittersweet nightshades pack a toxic punch. The entire plant contains solanine, a chemical found in most nightshades including green potatoes. It also contains dulcamarine, a toxin similar to that found in deadly nightshade.
If the berries remind you of tomatoes, that's because tomatoes fall into the nightshade family. This family of plants also includes eggplants, peppers, and potatoes.
King County, Washington has classified bittersweet nightshades as a noxious weed. Native to Europe and Asia, this fast-growing perennial vine can outcompete local species like dogwood. As an invasive species, they pose a real threat to our local ecology.
While poisonings are relatively rare, bittersweet nightshade persists in various environments, making it a real danger to livestock, pets, and young children. In your backyard, look out for woody vines with arrow-shaped leaves, clustered purple flowers, and red berries. As the berries are edible to some birds, the plant can be dispersed widely.
While some are certainly more palatable than others, there are nine edible berries native to the various bioregions of Washington State. With its tomato-like looks, it's easy to confuse bittersweet nightshade for one of our edible species like the salal pictured below.
If you do choose to forage native berries, make sure to educate yourself about what is and isn't safe to eat. If you're new to wild berries, the safest way to learn is by joining someone with experience. Foraging can be a great way of connecting with your local community and environment!
Bittersweet nightshades may not be the most toxic plant in Washington, but their ability to thrive in numerous environments means they’re still worth looking out for in your backyard, particularly if you have small children or pets.
If you’re new to wild-berry-picking, we suggest teaming up with experts who will show you the ropes. Food is a profound way of connecting to a place, and guided foraging experiences can teach us a lot about where we live, our local history, and our relationship to the environment.
