The flowers are bell shaped
Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna), also known as belladonna, has had many names over the centuries. It has been known as Devil’s Berries, Death Berries, Beautiful Death, Banewort and Devils’ Herb. Given its many names, it is not surprising that it is also the most poisonous plant in the eastern hemisphere. All parts of the plant are deadly, even to the touch. They contain the toxins scopolamine, atropine and hyoscyamine. Symptoms of belladonna poisoning include hallucinations and delirium. Fortunately, there are antidotes to the toxins, hysostigmine and pilocarpine, the same substances used to counter atropine poisoning.
Believe it or not, deadly nightshade has been used medicinally. Recorded uses include as an anesthetic, a muscle relaxer and an anti-inflammatory. It has also been used as a cosmetic. It was the fashion in Italy in the Middle Ages for women to use eye drops containing deadly nightshade. The drops enlarged their pupils which was considered attractive, hence the nickname belladonna which literally means beautiful woman in the Italian language.
Deadly nightshade was also popular with assassins because it was so deadly. It has been used since Roman times to poison both food and drink. Wealthy people employed food tasters to avoid being poisoned. Assassins knew that by ingesting small quantities over time, they could build a tolerance to the poison so they could take a job as a food taster with their intended target and taste the food without being poisoned.
Deadly nightshade is a perennial woody shrub that is native to Europe and the Near East. It was brought to North America by the European colonists who grew it for its medicinal properties. It escaped their gardens and naturalized in the landscape. It is hardy on zones 5 through 9. The plants grow 3 to 4 feet with a similar spread in well-drained soil. They will grow in full sun to partial shade.
The berries are beautiful but deadly
The flowers are bell shaped and a dull purple color. Bloom time is from June to early September. After the flowers fade, berries develop from late August to October. They are shiny black and very attractive with a sweet taste. It is recommended that you not grow deadly nightshade anywhere that children can pick the berries. As few as 2 berries is enough to kill a child. For adults, 10 are lethal. Although cattle, horses, sheep, goats and rabbits are immune to the poison, cats and dogs are not. Grow your plants away from your pets’ play areas.
If you have curious children and/or pets, it is best to deadhead the flowers to prevent the berries from developing and tempting them.
Growing deadly nightshade from seed is easy. You can allow the berries to ripen and fall to the ground where the seeds will grow into new plants or you can plant the seeds yourself. Be aware that the seed coats are hard and the seeds need cold stratification to germinate.
Soak the seeds in water that is changed daily in your refrigerator for 2 weeks, then plant them immediately before they dry out. You can either plant them indoors before your last frost in sterile potting soil to prevent damping off or outdoors in your garden in partial shade after your last frost. Sow the seed 18 inches apart. Germination should occur in 2 to 4 weeks.