Belladonna

Poisonous Plant

Belladonna or deadly nightshade(Atropa belladonna) is a perennial herbaceous plant of the Solanaceae family, native to southwestern Europe and western Asia. It is also known by various names such as Witch's Flower, Devil's Herb, Deadly Nightshade, and in English as "Deadly Nightshade." The plant is resistant to drought but sensitive to direct sunlight, growing to a height of 40-50 cm. Its leaves can reach about 20 cm in length. From May to July, it produces downward-facing, bell-shaped flowers that range in color from light purple to dark purplish-brown. After flowering, it bears green, slightly spherical berries about 1 cm in diameter, which later ripen to a dark purple color. These berries are highly poisonous.

The name "Belladonna" is derived from the Italian words "Bella donna," meaning "beautiful woman." During the Renaissance, in Italy, the juice extracted from the leaves and roots, which contained atropine, was used as eye drops to dilate the pupils, making the eyes appear more attractive. It is said that Cleopatra also used it. Despite its beauty, the plant is highly toxic, especially its roots and rhizomes. However, the poison has medicinal properties and has been used in pharmaceutical preparations, including painkillers, antispasmodics, and mydriatics, under the name "Belladonna Root" or "Belladonna Extract."

Fruits Resemble Blueberries
The berries of Belladonna resemble those of the blueberry (Vaccinium), which are edible. However, Belladonna berries are poisonous and should not be consumed.

Despite the Name, Belladonna is Not Related to the Belladonna Lily
Belladonna is a different plant from the Belladonna Lily.

Flower Meaning
"Silence," "The charm of a deceptive person," "I curse you," "A gift of death to men."

Etymology
The genus name "Atropa" is derived from the Greek word "Atropos," meaning "irreversible." Atropos is one of the three Fates in Greek mythology, who cuts the thread of life, symbolizing the plant's deadly poison. The species name "belladonna" means "beautiful woman" in Italian.

Common Name: Belladonna
Scientific Name: Atropa belladonna
English Name: Deadly nightshade
Other Names: Witch's flower, Devil's herb, Wolf's bane, European Mandrake
Origin: Southwestern Europe to Western Asia
Habitat: Dry areas, sensitive to sunlight
Classification:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Angiosperms
Class: Eudicots
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Atropa
Life Form: Perennial herbaceous plant
Plant Height: 40-50 cm
Leaf Length: 20 cm
Flowering Period: May to July
Flower Color: Light purple to dark purple-brown
Flower Shape: Bell-shaped
Flower Orientation: Pendulous
Fruit Diameter: 1 cm
Fruit Shape: Slightly spherical
Fruit Color: Green → Ripens to dark purple
Uses: Leaves are used medicinally
Notes: The entire plant is poisonous, with roots and rhizomes being highly toxic.

*Related Pages
Belladonn（Atropa belladonna）
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