Atropa bella-donna

Atropa bella-donna, commonly known as Deadly Nightshade, is a perennial.

Contents 1 Naming 2 Taxonomy 3 Characteristics 3.1 Growth 3.2 Wood and Bark 3.3 Leaves 3.4 Flowers and Fruit 3.5 Root System 4 Distribution 5 Cultivation 6 Uses 7 Maintenance 8 Varities and Cultivars 9 Poisonousness 10 Pests and Diseases 11 Man and Atropa bella-donna 11.1 History 11.2 Atropa bella-donna in art 11.3 Symbolism 11.4 Superstition 12 See also 13 References 13.1 Literature 13.2 Footnotes 14 Non-commercial Links

[edit] Naming

Atropa bella-donna was described in 1753 by Carl Linnaeus. The name is considered as validly published.

[edit] Taxonomy

The Deadly Nightshade is a species in the genus Atropa (belladonna) which contains 4 species and belongs to the family of the Solanaceae (Nightshade Family).

[edit] Characteristics

[edit] Growth

The perennials grow to a height of approximately 1,5 meters.

[edit] Wood and Bark

[edit] Leaves

Atropa bella-donna is a decidious plant with simple leaves. They are ovate.

[edit] Flowers and Fruit

The flowers are bell-shaped and purple. The plants bloom from June to July. The flowers are arranged solitary.

The black fruits are berries.

[edit] Root System

[edit] Distribution

Atropa bella-donna is native to Europe, with the exception of Northern Europe where it is naturalized, to Turkey, the Caucasus, north Iran and northwest Africa.

[edit] Cultivation

The Deadly Nightshade can withstand temperatures down to -17,7º C.

[edit] Uses

Atropa bella-donna is used medicinally.

[edit] Maintenance

[edit] Varities and Cultivars

[edit] Poisonousness

Atropa bella-donna is poisonous.

 Please read the health issues note! 

[edit] Pests and Diseases

[edit] Man and Atropa bella-donna

[edit] History

[edit] Atropa bella-donna in art

[edit] Symbolism

[edit] Superstition

[edit] See also

[edit] References

[edit] Literature

• Walter Erhardt, Erich Götz, Nils Bödeker, Siegmund Seybold: Der große Zander. Eugen Ulmer KG, Stuttgart 2008, ISBN 978-3-8001-5406-7. (Ger.)
• Christoper Brickell (Editor-in-chief): RHS A-Z Encyclopedia of Garden Plants. Third edition. Dorling Kindersley, London 2003, ISBN 0-7513-3738-2.
• efloras.org

[edit] Footnotes

[edit] Non-commercial Links

More pictures of Atropa bella-donna in the

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• United States Department of Agriculturees:Atropa bella-donnafr:Atropa bella-donna