Bitter Nightshade vs Common Fieldcap

Solanum dulcamara compared with Agrocybe pediades

Taxonomic Classification

Rank Bitter Nightshade Common Fieldcap
Kingdom Plantae (Plants) Fungi (Fungi)
Phylum Magnoliophyta (Flowering Plants) Basidiomycota (Club Fungi)
Class Magnoliopsida (Dicots) Agaricomycetes (Mushrooms)
Order Solanales (Solanales) Agaricales (Gilled Mushrooms)
Family Solanaceae Strophariaceae
Genus Solanum Agrocybe
Species Solanum dulcamara Agrocybe pediades

Conservation Status

Bitter Nightshade

LC — Least Concern

Common Fieldcap

LC — Least Concern

Physical Characteristics

Attribute Bitter Nightshade Common Fieldcap
Diet
Average Lifespan
Average Length
Average Weight

Habitat & Geographic Range

Bitter Nightshade

Habitat

Inhabits deserts and xeric shrublands spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic realms.

Range

Widely distributed across Asia (India, Israel, Yemen), Europe (9 countries), North America (Canada, United States), and Oceania and the Pacific (Australia, New Zealand).

Common Fieldcap

Habitat

Typically found in forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems.

Range

Found across Europe (5 countries) and North America (United States).

Bitter Nightshade

The Bitter Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) is a species in the genus Solanum. It is currently classified as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List. Inhabits deserts and xeric shrublands spanning the Afrotropic and Palearctic realms.

Common Fieldcap

The Common Fieldcap (<em>Agrocybe pediades</em>) is a saprotrophic fungus belonging to the genus Agrocybe within the family Strophariaceae. It typically produces small, tan to pale brown cap-shaped fruiting bodies and is often found growing in clusters or scattered on lawns, grassy areas, forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil-rich ecosystems. The species typically inhabits forest floors, decomposing wood, and soil ecosystems, obtaining nutrients by breaking down dead organic matter. Its geographic range includes several European countries — Belgium, Denmark, Norway, Portugal, and Sweden — as well as the United States in North America. <em>Agrocybe pediades</em> is assessed as Least Concern on the IUCN Red List, reflecting its broad distribution and apparent stability. Biological traits of this species, including specific data on fruiting body size, lifespan, and ecological preferences, remain poorly documented in the scientific literature. Like other members of its genus, it typically fruits during warmer months and often appears after rainfall in nutrient-rich grassland and woodland habitats.

Nature FYI Family

Explore more of the natural world across our sister sites.

Part of the Nature FYI family — FYIPedia