Atropa bella-donna
Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ah-TROH-pah bel-lah-DON-nah
- This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Belladonna is a branching, herbaceous perennial with thick roots in the nightshade family native to England as well as Eurasian and Mediterranean countries, where it can be found in disturbed areas, along roads and waste sites. In the US, it has naturalized in disturbed grounds in New York as well as our three west coast states, Washington, Oregon and California. A beautiful but deadly plant, its genus name is derived from the Greek mythology. Atropos, one of the three fates, held shears that cut the thread of life. The species name, Italian for beautiful lady, references the ancient use of the plant as a cosmetic.
Belladonna grows best in well-drained sandy loam in full sun to part shade. But because it is poisonous in all of its parts, it should never be planted in home landscapes.
The plant is so toxic that if an open wound comes in contact with the leaves, roots or fruits, the results can be fatal. Domestic pets can also suffer the effects of this toxic plant. Although causing ill effects in domestic animals, some birds and other wildlife eat the fruits without effect.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems:
Slugs are a common issue. Its poisonous properties should discourage planting in home gardens.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Atropa
- Species:
- bella-donna
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Although toxic, there is a long history of use as a medicinal.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- England, central and southern Europe
- Distribution:
- Naturalized in parts of New York, Michigan, California, Oregon and Washington.
- Wildlife Value:
- Birds and some small animals use the fruits as a food source.
- Play Value:
- Attractive Flowers
- Fragrance
- Wildlife Food Source
- Edibility:
- Not edible, leaves, roots and fruits are highly toxic.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Multi-stemmed
- Open
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Alkaline (>8.0)
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Mountains
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Purple/Lavender
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Berry
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- A glossy, purple-black berry. Sweet but highly toxic.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Green
- Purple/Lavender
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Bell
- Tubular
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Axillary, drooping, tubular, 5-lobed flowers are dull reddish purple with a green tinge. Blossoms from June to September.
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Leaves:
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate, simple leaves ranging from 3 to 10 inches long. The lower leaves are solitary, while the upper are produced in pairs.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Woodland
- Problems:
- Poisonous to Humans
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
- Weedy
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- High
- Poison Symptoms:
- Highly toxic. Small doses will produce delirium and hallucinations, larger doses will kill. Fever, rapid pulse, dilation of pupils, hot and dry flushed skin, headache, dry mouth, difficulty of swallowing, burning of the throat, hallucinations, convulsions. May cause death in livestock and pets.
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Tropane alkaloids, atropine, and others
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
- Stems
