Dulcamara, also known as bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), is a woody, perennial vine in the flowering plant family Solanaceae. The name "dulcamara" is derived from the Latin words dulcis (sweet) and amarus (bitter), referring to the plant's characteristic taste. In Hebrew, it is called לילית מתוקה-מרירה (Lilith Metuka-Marira). Other relevant translations include Dulzamara in Spanish, Douce-amère in French, and Bittersüß in German. The plant is native to Europe and Asia but has been introduced to other regions, including North America. It typically grows in hedgerows, woodland edges, and scrubland. Dulcamara is notable for its toxic properties, containing solanine and other glycoalkaloids, which can be harmful if ingested. Historically, it has been used in traditional medicine, but its use is now generally discouraged due to its potential toxicity.
Topics referred to by the same term
Dulcamara means "bittersweet". It can refer to:Solanum dulcamara, a plant Dulcamara, a synonym and proposed section of the genus Solanum Dulcamara, or the Little Duck and the Great Quack, an 1866 play by W. S. Gilbert Dr. Dulcamara, a character in L'elisir d'amore, an opera by Gaetano Donizetti