Can You Tell Which One is the REAL Deadly Nightshade?

It's that time of year! Confusion around "Deadly Nightshades" abounds in gardening groups. So, let's take a few minutes to look at REAL Deadly Nightshade, and 2 plants commonly misidentified as Deadly Nightshade.

You might ask, "Angela, why is this so important to you?" Well, for me, understanding the plants in my garden, being able to accurately ID them and understand their risks and applications takes away the fear. My garden is a place of constant learning and enjoyment, not fear. When we deepen our understanding and accuracy in the garden, we not only appreciate it on a deeper level, and can design more accurately, but we can safely and confidently interact with the garden without fear.

More info on these 3 Plants:

BITTERSWEET NIGHTSHADE (Solanum dulcamara) -

BLACK NIGHTSHADE (Solanum nigrum/americanum - and several other related species including S. ptychanthum and S. torvum, which are often difficult to distinguish) -
{{{{{{DISCLAIMER - DO NOT EAT PLANTS YOU DONT KNOW HOW TO SAFELY ID AND PREPARE. Much like potatoes, not all parts of the plant are edible due to high solanine content. And like Cape Gooseberries (Incaberries) and ground cherries, unripe berries can make you ill. Do your own due diligence when deciding to grow or forage any food! Knowledge is power AND safety! }}}}}}}

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[ludawnhatton]

I appreciate that you approached this topic. As an herbalist, I often find that the gardening groups can perpetuate fear mongering of "toxic" plants.

[jordang]

This gave me a fun idea for a pseudo-poison themed garden. Things that look like poisonous plants but aren't.

[artifex_amandalastname]

I love your attitude toward fear; that education is the solution. Thanks for clear communication and dispelling fears!

[kadens]

I have solanum dulcamara in my front yard, but thought that it was deadly nightshade, so I really appreciate seeing this video! It's all wrapped up in the landscape bushes, so I've never been able to really remove it and I'd decided to appreciate its beauty and just avoid touching it. Now I feel even better about my decision to leave it be, knowing that it's not dangerous so long as I don't eat it. The bees really do love it! And I love that I can be sure that there's a spot I can watch bees, as long as it's in flower <3

[jabbaraedwards]

I’ve been told Dulcamara was deadly since I was a kid, over 60 years. It’s the only one I’ve seen in the NW. I pull it, not scared of it. My bumbles are well fed. Tansy Ragwort is the one I’m most concerned about, it’s becoming rampant. Your yarn is absolutely gorgeous, wish I could knit.

[rosaarias]

yes. we have to be careful. i love the colors!

[janeaustine]

Thank you so much for talking about the "deadly nightshade". I have been wandering about it for a long time. The ripen berries of Bittersweet nightshade are so pretty and attractive, I was so tempted to eat them. Fortunately my husband stopped me. I just got some black nightshade plants from someone via my gardening group, because they say the yang leaves are edible (stir fry). I am glad you confirmed the black nightshade is edible. And I am so glad to know that I don't have to worry about the real deadly nightshade in Oregon.

[tgardenchicken]

Lovely yarn. Thank you for sharing this, it even came up un our master gardener group, some folks reacting with fear. I have the second and third nightshades popping up in my yard sometimes. The bees love the purple flowers and pests seem to love the leaves. I notice sometimes the only leaf damage I see is on my 'trap crop weeds-various' My monkshood should be blooming soon- one kind (gotta keep the werewolves at bay--joke). I know times have been hard lately- here is a virtual hug. Stay safe and well.

[katjacornucopia]

Thank you for your videos. I don't know about other viewers, but I would love to see more garden tours with your guilds. I realize they would be very similar to the precious ones, but I find your garden tours so relaxing, that whenever YouTube is showing them to me, i rewatch them again and again 😊.
The yarn part was very asmr-like.

[TheTinkerersWife]

Appreciate the cate you take with understanding the plants around us.

[kitdubhran]

Bittersweet/woody nightshade!!!❤❤❤

I saw this one in my yard the first summer I was here and I was like “nightshade plant! Woot! And googled it and figured out what it was almost right away. Beautiful little viney plant. Love the purple and yellow flowers and the berries are adorable! So happy I have it! 🎉

[MorePranaGardens]

Beautiful yarn in two of my favorite colors!

[WynterDragon]

I love Malabrigo! The colors you got are just gorgeous! I can't wait to see them knitted up.

[ladybirdgib]

This video turned up at the perfect time! Ha! This season I have allowed a strange (to me) plant that popped up in three of my larger rail pots. I have been looking to identify them. It's garden huckleberry! It makes sense because I actually traded some plants with a friend and she grows these intentionally. Some seeds must have found their way into the starts I got from her! How neat!

I also have bittersweet. They are really pretty. The blossoms sort of reminds me of the flowers on tomato or eggplant.

I have found our Peterson field guide to be helpful in identifying the plant life in our area.

Thanks for sharing. I'm a always a bit bewildered when others take one sharing information as an indictment of what they may not be aware of instead of celebrating learning something new.

The yarn is gorgeous, btw.

[eleonorabartoli]

I am very happy to have American nightshade in my garden, not many plants grow in dry shade here in the high desert, plus it is native and free food! Looking forward to try them next season!

[kellinomnom]

Can't wait to see what you make with that

[Lightdancer]

Thank you for this great clip on our common nightshades! And thanks for the resources - esp. the article and video from 4 seasons forager!
I have a black nightshade that volunteered by my walk, along with Lambs quarters, and a purple morning glory (from the neighbors - gave it a trellis!) Now I'll give the nightshade a bit of compost!

And I love seeing the contents of your yummy package!! Fun mix!

[dfhepner]

This was very interesting. We would pick bitter almonds so that my mother could make marzipan from them.

[carolinekloppert]

Wow this was interesting. Our black nightshade, Solanum retroflexum can also be eaten, both berries and leaves.

[JenniferBowden-cm]

I have garden huckleberries in my garden. I’ve never heard of them before and I’m excited to try them.