Deadly nightshade or belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a well-known, hardy perennial shrub, a member of the nightshade family.

The Belladonna is native to Europe, North Africa, and West Asia, and has become naturalized in parts of North America. It is not nearly as common in the wild as many field guides would suggest. This is because it is readily attacked by mint flea beetles and has a low tolerance for direct sunlight. In areas where it has become naturalized it can often be found in shady, moist areas with a limestone rich soil.

Description

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The Belladonna has dull green leaves and bell-shaped flowers that are an unremarkable shade of purple, which yield black, shiny berries measuring approximately 1 cm in diameter. It is an herbaceous shrub, and can grow to be approximately one metre tall. The leaves have an oily, "poison ivy"-like feel and can cause vesicular pustular eruptions if handled carelessly. Many animals, such as rabbits, birds and deer, seem to eat the plant without suffering harmful effects, though dogs and cats are affected. Many reports suggest that people have been poisoned by eating animals which have previously eaten Belladonna, though this has not been verified.

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Belladonna Alkaloids - Twitter Search

Belle's singing I Am the Walrus as she stuffs Siena in the dryer - in bathing suits. Is this real? Or is it the belladonna alkaloids.... #fb
ThePolishVirus (Karissa Knurowski) Sun, 27 Dec 2009 17:07:57 -0000
Belle's singing I Am the Walrus as she stuffs Siena in the dryer - in bathing suits. Is this real? Or is it the belladonna alkaloids.... #fb

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