Scientific Name
Atropa belladonna
Common Name
Belladonna, deadly nightshade

HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

Characteristics

Family
Solanaceae
Plant Description
Coarse, branched, perennial herb with red sap; leaves alternate, simple; flowers axillary, drooping, tubular, 5-lobed, dull red-purple or greenish purple; fruit a glossy, purple-black berry.
Origin
Eurasia.
Where Found
Landscape in flower garden as herbaceous, flowering ornamental.
Mode
Ingestion.
Poisonous Part
All parts, mainly berries.
Symptoms
Fever, rapid pulse, dilation of pupils, hot and dry flushed skin, headache, dry mouth, difficulty of swallowing, burning of the throat, hallucinations, convulsions.
Toxic Principle
Tropane alkaloids, atropine and others.
Severity
HIGHLY TOXIC, MAY BE FATAL IF EATEN!

"Poisonous Plants of North Carolina," Dr. Alice B. Russell, Department of Horticultural Science; Dr. James W. Hardin, Botany; Dr. Larry Grand, Plant Pathology; and Dr. Angela Fraser, Family and Consumer Sciences; North Carolina State University. All Pictures Copyright @1997Alice B. Russell, James W. Hardin, Larry Grand. Computer programming, Miguel A. Buendia; graphics, Brad Capel.

Disclaimer: The list of poisonous plants on this web site does not necessarily include every poisonous plant that is known, or that might be found in an urban landscape or home. North Carolina State University does not advise eating any of the plants included in this web site. The information concerning edibility is taken from the literature, and the degree of reliability is unknown. We discourage the use of any of these plants for self medication. In cases of accidental exposure or ingestion, contact the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222.

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