Deadly nightshade

Deadly Nightshade

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), also known as belladonna or devil's berries, is a perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is native to Europe, North Africa, and Western Asia. Its distribution extends from Great Britain in the west to western Ukraine and the Iranian province of Gilan in the east.

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdɛdli ˈnaɪtʃeɪd/

Etymology

The name "belladonna" comes from the Italian language, meaning "beautiful lady". The plant was named "belladonna" because in the past, women used the juice of the plant to dilate their pupils, which was considered attractive. "Deadly nightshade" is so named because of its highly toxic berries and leaves, which can be fatal if ingested.

Description

Deadly nightshade is a branching herbaceous perennial, often growing as a subshrub, from a fleshy rootstock. The leaves are simple, entire and alternate, while the flowers are purple, with a funnel-shaped corolla. The fruit is a glossy black berry.

Toxicity

All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids. The berries pose the greatest danger to children because they look attractive and have a somewhat sweet taste. The consumption of two to five berries by a human adult is probably lethal. The root of the plant is generally the most toxic part, though this can vary from one specimen to another.

Medical Uses

Historically, deadly nightshade has been used as a medicinal plant, sedative, and cosmetic. Despite its toxicity, it was used in the past as an analgesic, to relieve pain during surgery or wounds. Today, compounds extracted from the plant are used in modern medicine, for example, in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders and to reduce the secretions of the respiratory tract.

Related Terms

• Atropine
• Solanaceae
• Tropane alkaloids
• Perennial plant
• Herbaceous plant

External links

• Medical encyclopedia article on Deadly nightshade
• Wikipedia's article - Deadly nightshade

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