Not So Deadly Nightshade

Solanum dulcamara, commonly known as bittersweet nightshade, is an invasive weed in most of the world; especially the Americas where it was introduced by European settlers. It is actually rather pretty both in bloom and in fruit, but pretty much grows everywhere, especially where you don’t want it. It is a member of the nightshade family or more specifically the potato genus. Though poisonous it is not particularly deadly, and those who eat the berries usually will become rather ill before they are able to eat enough of them to be fatal.

_{Photo by @kellyjanderson shot on the Olympus E-M5}

This one was found dangling over the fence of an urban restaurant patio, with a small beam of sunlight illuminating it. The bright splash of sunlit red caught my eye from across the patio. I really loved how the small bit of sun really made the seeds visible through the skin of the fruit.

Cheers, @kellyjanderson