Deadly nightshade facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Deadly nightshade |
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Atropa
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| Atropa belladonna |
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Deadly nightshade or belladonna (Atropa belladonna) is a well-known, hardy perennial shrub. It is a member of the nightshade family.
Originally, it grew in Europe, North Africa, and Asia. It has also been seen in North America, but is far less common there. Usually it grows in the shade. The plant does not like direct sunlight. Often it grows in places where the soil is rich in limestone.
Belladonna is poisonous
Most parts of the plant are known to be very poisonous. Children have died from eating as few as three berries. One leaf contains enough poison to kill an adult. The root usually contains the most poison.
The poison present in the plant is called atropine.
Effects of the poison
The effects of atropine are dilated (big) pupils, hallucinations, and difficulty in seeing (the vision may not be as sharp as always, it may be difficult to focus on some object). Problems keeping upright, feeling like one is flying, and being confused are also symptoms. The pulse of the victim grows faster and faster, and the rate at which the heart is beating will go up. Toxic reaction to atropine causes fever, delirium, stupor and rash on head, neck and upper trunk. There may be agitation, difficulty in speaking and swallowing. Coma and convulsions usually come before death.
Images for kids
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Attractively sweet and cherry-like fruit of Atropa belladonna
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A belladonna plaster, Hunterian Museum, Glasgow
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A homeopathic preparation of belladonna
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Leaves of belladonna
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Specimen with abundant flowers and green, immature berries
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Single flower, showing long pedicel springing from leaf axil.
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Atropa belladonna L. Corolla and calyx of single flower in profile.
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Atropa belladonna L. Single flower angled to show both exterior and interior.
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Atropa belladonna L. Single flower, full face, showing reticulated corolla base and insertion of (characteristically curled) stamens, and pistil.
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Single flower, three-quarter face, showing fine detail of puberulent stigma
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Atropa belladonna L. single flower back-lit by bright sunlight to reveal purple reticulation of yellowish-green corolla tube.
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Back-lit corolla, showing contrast between pubescent, ribbed exterior and more glabrous interior
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Cross-section of corolla, showing ripe anthers with flocculent, cream pollen
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Atropa belladonna L. Reverse of fruiting calyx, showing concave backs of calyx lobes with dirt from air pollution coating sticky trichomes.
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The translucent yellow berries of Atropa belladonna lutea.
See also
In Spanish: Belladona para niños
