Der Bittersüße Nachtschatten ist ein bis zu 2 m langer, kletternder Halbstrauch. Seine violetten Blüten umschließen die goldgelb gefärbten Staubbeutel. Die Früchte reifen zu scharlachroten Beeren, die anfänglich bitter, dann süßlich schmecken. Der Bittersüße Nachtschatten gehört wie die Tollkirsche, aber auch Kartoffel und Tomate, zu den Nachtschattengewächsen. It is a species of vine in the potato genus Solanum, family Solanaceae. Bittersweet is a semi-woody herbaceous perennial vine, which scrambles over other plants, capable of reaching a height of 4 m where suitable support is available, but more often 1-2 m high. The leaves are 4-12 cm long, roughly arrowhead-shaped, and often lobed at the base. The flowers are in loose clusters of 3-20, (1-1.5 cm) across, star-shaped, with five purple petals and yellow stamens and style pointing forward. The fruit is an ovoid red berry about 1 cm long, soft and juicy, poisonous to humans and livestock but edible for birds, which disperse the seeds widely. As with most Solanum species, the foliage is also poisonous to humans. Bittersweet is used in naturopathy and herbalism.
