The Climbing Nightshade wildflowers, also known as Bittersweet Nightshade, are just beautiful at Fort Hill in Eastham on Cape Cod. You can see them on the trail near the Cutting Rock or on the trail leading up to the overlook parking lot.
Climbing Nightshade wildflowers are a climbing vine with purple shooting star-shaped flowers of about 1/2″ which grow in clusters at the ends of long stems. Their petals are swept back from a yellow central “beak.”
One of my friends just commented that these plants are extremely toxic. I did some research on the internet and learned:
“The foliage is toxic to many people and should be handled with care. The fruit is said to also be toxic, particularly to children.”
Be careful and not touch this wildflower!
Thanks, Mike, for the “heads up!”
I’ve visited and hiked at Fort Hill many times and I never have seen that flower. Guess that there is always another surprise no matter how many times you visit the same place.
Also known as “deadly nightshade”. Is it there still there do you know
Yes, the flowers have gone by and the red berries are there now.