Bittersweet Nightshade
Solanum dulcamara
Horse
Moderate
Get veterinary advice the same day and remove access. Large quantity of foliage or concentrated ingestion of green/yellow berries.
Equio informs, it does not diagnose. When in doubt, call your vet.
What to do now
- Antidote
- No specific antidote. Supportive and symptomatic treatment.
- Time to signs
- 12 to 48 hours
- Prognosis
- Generally good in horses; death is very rare except in exceptional massive ingestions.
- Contact veterinarian.
- Administer a purge or activated charcoal if ingestion is recent.
- Symptomatic treatment for digestive disturbances.
Its ID card
- Height
- 0.5 m – 2 m
- Flowering
- June to September
- Toxic parts
- Stem, leaves, and especially immature (green) berries.
- Toxin
- Glycoalkaloids (Solanine, solasodine)
- Habitat
- Damp hedges, ditches, bushes, woodland edges, riverbanks.
- Soil indicator
- Fresh to very damp soils, rich in nitrogen.
- Regions
- Entire Europe, North America
- In hay
- Yes — stays toxic once dried
- Palatability
- Very low (the name 'bittersweet' comes from its initially sweet then very bitter taste). Only consumed by mistake with other hedge leaves.
When the risk rises
August to October (presence of berries).
Spotting it in the field
Black Nightshade (white flowers, black berries). — smell : slightly acrid smell when crushed, but not very pronounced.
- Woody climbing or creeping plant.
- Distinctive flowers: purple petals reflexed backwards, with a very prominent bright yellow cone in the center.
- Ovoid berries that are green, turning yellow, then bright red and translucent when ripe.
Signs to watch for
Acute toxicity.
Dose : Difficult to establish precisely, but ingestion of several kilograms of leafy plant or green berries can be dangerous.
- Profound depression and apathy
- Colic, sometimes bloody diarrhea
- Motor incoordination (horse staggers)
- Pupil dilation
- Decrease in heart rate and breathing
Who is affected
Other species : Toxic to cattle, sheep, dogs, and poultry.
In pregnant mares : theoretical risk of malformations linked to solanine.
Getting rid of it
Method : Uproot the entire plant, including roots, before berry production. Wear gloves. Burn waste to prevent dissemination.
- Regularly inspect paddocks and fence lines to identify and remove the plant.
- Prevent hedges from becoming too overgrown and hanging into areas accessible to horses.
- Be particularly vigilant during the months of August to October when berries are present.
Frequently asked questions
Can Equio identify Bittersweet Nightshade from a photo?
It can help organize visual clues, but plant identification must remain cautious when horse health is at stake.
Is Bittersweet Nightshade dangerous in hay?
This entry flags hay vigilance. Isolate suspicious forage and ask for professional advice if exposure is possible.
This page is informational. If ingestion is likely, if signs appear, or if the horse is fragile, contact a veterinarian immediately.