Atropa bella-donna: Difference between revisions

Latest revision as of 16:24, 5 March 2025

Species of plant known for its toxic properties

Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the Solanaceae family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and is known for its toxic properties and historical use in medicine and cosmetics.

Description[edit]

Atropa belladonna is a branching herbaceous perennial that grows to about 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall. The leaves are ovate and grow up to 18 cm (7 inches) long. The flowers are bell-shaped, dull purple with green tinges, and bloom from June to August. The berries are green when unripe and turn to a shiny black as they mature.

Toxicity[edit]

The plant contains tropane alkaloids, such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which are highly toxic. These compounds can cause delirium, hallucinations, and even death if ingested. The berries are particularly attractive to children due to their sweet taste, but they are extremely poisonous.

Historical Uses[edit]

Historically, belladonna was used in cosmetics; women would use the juice of the berries to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive. The name "belladonna" means "beautiful lady" in Italian, reflecting this use. It was also used as an anesthetic and in various traditional medicines.

Medical Applications[edit]

Despite its toxicity, Atropa belladonna has been used in modern medicine. Atropine, derived from the plant, is used to dilate pupils during eye examinations and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning. Scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness and postoperative nausea.

Cultivation[edit]

Belladonna is cultivated for its medicinal alkaloids. It prefers well-drained, moist soil and partial shade. The plant is hardy and can be grown in temperate climates, but care must be taken due to its toxic nature.

Cultural Significance[edit]

Atropa belladonna has been associated with witchcraft and folklore. It was believed to be used in potions and ointments by witches in the Middle Ages. The plant's association with magic and mystery continues to capture the imagination.

Related Pages[edit]

Gallery[edit]

Belladonna plaster, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
Illustration of Atropa belladonna

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-{{Short description|Species of plant known as deadly nightshade}}
+{{short description|Species of plant known for its toxic properties}}
 {{Taxobox
 | name = Atropa belladonna
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 }}
-'''Atropa belladonna''', commonly known as '''belladonna''' or '''deadly nightshade''', is a perennial herbaceous plant in the [[Solanaceae]] family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. The plant is known for its toxic properties and historical use in medicine and cosmetics.
+'''Atropa belladonna''', commonly known as '''belladonna''' or '''deadly nightshade''', is a perennial herbaceous plant in the [[Solanaceae]] family. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia, and is known for its toxic properties and historical use in medicine and cosmetics.
 ==Description==
 [[File:Atropa_bella-donna_sl27.jpg|thumb|left|Atropa belladonna plant with berries]]
-Atropa belladonna is a branching herbaceous perennial that grows to about 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall. The leaves are ovate and grow in pairs. The flowers are bell-shaped, dull purple with green tinges, and bloom from June to August. The berries are shiny black and about the size of cherries.
+Atropa belladonna is a branching herbaceous perennial that grows to about 1.5 meters (4.9 feet) tall. The leaves are ovate and grow up to 18 cm (7 inches) long. The flowers are bell-shaped, dull purple with green tinges, and bloom from June to August. The berries are green when unripe and turn to a shiny black as they mature.
-The plant contains tropane alkaloids, such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which are responsible for its toxic effects. These compounds can cause delirium and hallucinations, and in high doses, they can be fatal.
-==Habitat and Distribution==
-Atropa belladonna is found in a variety of habitats, including woodlands, scrublands, and disturbed areas. It prefers calcareous soils and is often found in limestone regions. The plant is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia but has been introduced to other parts of the world.
 ==Toxicity==
-[[File:IMG_8023_Atropa_belladonna_L._Single_fruit.jpg|thumb|right|Single fruit of Atropa belladonna]]
+The plant contains tropane alkaloids, such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which are highly toxic. These compounds can cause delirium, hallucinations, and even death if ingested. The berries are particularly attractive to children due to their sweet taste, but they are extremely poisonous.
-All parts of the plant are toxic, with the berries and roots being the most potent. Symptoms of poisoning include dilated pupils, sensitivity to light, blurred vision, tachycardia, loss of balance, staggering, headache, rash, dry mouth and throat, slurred speech, urinary retention, constipation, confusion, hallucinations, delirium, and convulsions.
 ==Historical Uses==
-[[File:Belladonna_cultivation_Hand_book_of_pharmacy_and_therapeutics_b1007511_005_tif_5x21tg304.tiff|thumb|left|Historical cultivation of belladonna]]
+[[File:Belladonna_cultivation_Hand_book_of_pharmacy_and_therapeutics_b1007511_005_tif_5x21tg304.tiff|thumb|right|Historical illustration of belladonna cultivation]]
-Historically, belladonna was used in cosmetics, medicine, and as a poison. In the Renaissance, women used belladonna drops to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive. The name "belladonna" means "beautiful lady" in Italian, reflecting this use.
+Historically, belladonna was used in cosmetics; women would use the juice of the berries to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive. The name "belladonna" means "beautiful lady" in Italian, reflecting this use. It was also used as an anesthetic and in various traditional medicines.
-In medicine, belladonna was used as an anesthetic and to treat a variety of ailments, including motion sickness and muscle spasms. The plant's alkaloids are still used in modern medicine, particularly atropine, which is used to dilate pupils during eye examinations and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning.
+==Medical Applications==
+Despite its toxicity, Atropa belladonna has been used in modern medicine. Atropine, derived from the plant, is used to dilate pupils during eye examinations and as an antidote for certain types of poisoning. Scopolamine is used to treat motion sickness and postoperative nausea.
+==Cultivation==
+[[File:IMG_8023_Atropa_belladonna_L._Single_fruit.jpg|thumb|left|Single fruit of Atropa belladonna]]
+Belladonna is cultivated for its medicinal alkaloids. It prefers well-drained, moist soil and partial shade. The plant is hardy and can be grown in temperate climates, but care must be taken due to its toxic nature.
 ==Cultural Significance==
-Atropa belladonna has a long history of use in folklore and witchcraft. It was believed to have magical properties and was used in potions and ointments. The plant's association with witchcraft and poison has made it a subject of fascination and fear throughout history.
+Atropa belladonna has been associated with witchcraft and folklore. It was believed to be used in potions and ointments by witches in the Middle Ages. The plant's association with magic and mystery continues to capture the imagination.
-==Modern Uses==
-[[File:A_belladonna_plaster,_Hunterian_Museum,_Glasgow.jpg|thumb|right|A belladonna plaster]]
-Today, belladonna is cultivated for its alkaloids, which are used in the pharmaceutical industry. Atropine and scopolamine are extracted from the plant and used in various medications. Despite its toxicity, belladonna remains an important plant in the field of medicine.
 ==Related Pages==
@@ Line 41: / Line 36: @@
 * [[Atropine]]
 * [[Scopolamine]]
+==Gallery==
+<gallery>
+File:A_belladonna_plaster,_Hunterian_Museum,_Glasgow.jpg|Belladonna plaster, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
+File:1belladonna.jpg|Illustration of Atropa belladonna
+</gallery>
 [[Category:Solanaceae]]
 [[Category:Medicinal plants]]
 [[Category:Poisonous plants]]