DEADLY NIGHTSHADE
Atropa belladonna
SKU: 16-020
Description
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a poisonous perennial plant in the nightshade family. Its distribution extends from Great Britain in the west to western Ukraine and the Iranian province of Gilan in the east. It is also naturalized and/or introduced in some parts of Canada and the United States.
The foliage and berries are extremely toxic when ingested. Atropa belladonna has unpredictable effects. The ancient Romans used it as a poison (the wife of Emperor Augustus and the wife of Claudius both were rumored to have used it for murder); and, predating this, it was used to make poison-tipped arrows.
Plants grow to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall with ovate leaves 18 centimetres (7.1 in) long. The bell-shaped flowers are pink/purple with green tinges and faintly scented. The fruits are berries, which are green, ripening to a shiny-black, and approximately 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in diameter. The berries are consumed by animals that disperse the seeds in their droppings, even though they contain toxic alkaloids.
Atropa belladonna is native to temperate southern and central Europe but has been cultivated and introduced outside its native range. It is naturalized in parts of North America, where it is often found in shady, moist locations with limestone-rich soils.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Location: Shade or part shade
Seeds per pack: 20
Note: Ornamental use only. This plant and seeds are very toxic.
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is generally within 60 days after the warming period, though they could take a few months. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
Description
Atropa belladonna, commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade, is a poisonous perennial plant in the nightshade family. Its distribution extends from Great Britain in the west to western Ukraine and the Iranian province of Gilan in the east. It is also naturalized and/or introduced in some parts of Canada and the United States.
The foliage and berries are extremely toxic when ingested. Atropa belladonna has unpredictable effects. The ancient Romans used it as a poison (the wife of Emperor Augustus and the wife of Claudius both were rumored to have used it for murder); and, predating this, it was used to make poison-tipped arrows.
Plants grow to 2 metres (6.6 ft) tall with ovate leaves 18 centimetres (7.1 in) long. The bell-shaped flowers are pink/purple with green tinges and faintly scented. The fruits are berries, which are green, ripening to a shiny-black, and approximately 1.5 centimetres (0.59 in) in diameter. The berries are consumed by animals that disperse the seeds in their droppings, even though they contain toxic alkaloids.
Atropa belladonna is native to temperate southern and central Europe but has been cultivated and introduced outside its native range. It is naturalized in parts of North America, where it is often found in shady, moist locations with limestone-rich soils.
Type: Hardy perennial
Hardiness zones: 5-9
Location: Shade or part shade
Seeds per pack: 20
Note: Ornamental use only. This plant and seeds are very toxic.
Germination: Start these seeds right away to preserve viability, no matter the time of year. Sow the seeds just under the surface of a sterile seed-start mix, and water in. Then cover them with plastic and place in a fridge for 5-6 weeks. Be sure they stay moist. After the cold stratification period they are then brought back to room temperature for them to germinate. Germination is generally within 60 days after the warming period, though they could take a few months. If possible, the best location for sowing in March, April and May, is in cold frame or a cold greenhouse where they will receive the cold period and fluctuating temperatures naturally.
