The WALA Plant Library
Deadly Nightshade

Synonyms for Deadly Nightshade: Belladonna. Devil's Cherries. Naughty Man's Cherries. Divale. Black Cherry. Devil's Herb. Great Morel. Dwayberry
Scientific Name: Atropa belladonna L.
Family: Solanaceae (Nachtschattengewächse)

Description:

Almost everyone knows this indigenous poisonous plant with its cherry-sized shiny black berries that are so dangerously attractive. But eating the berries or any other part of the Deadly Nightshade can be fatal. The bushy plant, with several reddish stems that are branched at the top, can reach a height of 1½ meters (5 feet). From June to August, hidden beneath the leaves, it bears thimble-shaped flowers which are brownish violet on the outside and dingy yellow with purple veins on the inside. In the autumn all the above-ground parts die. New stems then grow again from the rootstock in the spring. Deadly Nightshade thrives best on chalk or limestone in lightly wooded areas.
Caution: All parts of Deadly Nightshade are poisonous. It should therefore never be used for self-medication without medical advice. Children must be warned about it.