Report #444 - Report: Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) on Sep 11, 2009

Submitter does not have a specimen
EDRR Status: Population assessed

Description of specimen

This vine was planted this summer in our neighbor's backyard along our common fence. It extends 9+' and just a few feet from a city water drainage grate. When the green berries showed up, it stirred my curiosity. Then when the berries started changing color, I asked another neighbor if he knew what it was; he thought it was nightshade. As I researched, I discovered the wetland nightshade fit the physical description but I have no proof of that since I've not seen this plant firsthand before. I have attached two pictures I took today.

Commentary

Thank you for your prompt attention and I'm sorry the images didn't go through yesterday; I believe they downloaded well this time.
Respectfully,
Mary Hays

Reporter
Sept. 12, 2009, 1:29 a.m.

I'm getting very frustrated........I've heard nothing more from the hotline except when I called Friday when I was told the manager 'might' call me today and 10 days have passed since my initial hotline contact on the web. I'm now sure that the vine is bittersweet nightshade. All the berries are translucent red with some of them dropping to the ground with more vine growing towards the fence within about 1/2". The initial woody vine that was planted is about 1/2" in diameter.
Marion County Soil & Water Conservation recommended contacting Tanya Beard of Marion Co. Weed Control. I called this morning, left my name and phone number and am still waiting for a call back from her. Our Stayton ordinance officer, Donna Zimmerman, says she needs guidance/directives(?) from either the state or county in order for this issue to be addressed by her. I believe this issue deserves some prompt attention.

Respectfully,
Mary Hays

Reporter
Sept. 21, 2009, 4:49 a.m.

I have now spoken to Tanya Beard and Mr. Tim Butler this afternoon. Mr. Butler will be calling our neighbor and I appreciate his concern with so little possible recourse concerning bittersweet nightshade in Marion County.

Respectfully,
Mary Hays

Reporter
Sept. 21, 2009, 8:57 a.m.

Dear Mary,

I apologize for not following up faster to your report. I am glad you took the initiative to make things happen by contacting Tim and Tanya. I am glad they were able to follow up. Thanks for your persistence and I hope my slow response doesn't deter you from staying active, looking for, and reporting species in the future. Great work, and again I apologize I was not able to follow up sooner!

Tania
Tania Siemens
Invasive Species Early Detection and Rapid Response Coordinator
The Nature Conservancy
WISE Program Coordinator (Watershed and Invasive Species Education)
Oregon Sea Grant Extension
tania.siemens@oregonstate.edu
541-914-0701

Tania Siemens
Sept. 22, 2009, 6:27 a.m.

Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) on Sep 11, 2009

Description of specimen

Commentary

Location

Expert Reviewer