Atropa belladonna
Sp. Pl. 1: 181. 1753.
Herbs 0.5–1.3 m, pubescent. Leaves: petiole 0.3–3 cm; blade broadly lanceolate to ovate, 2–23.7 × 0.8–7.8 cm, base cuneate, margins entire, apex acute. Flowering pedicels 0.8–2.1 cm. Flowers: calyx 0.6–1.5 × 0.5–2 cm; corolla purple, 2–3 × 1.2–2.2 cm; stamens 16–18 mm; anthers introrse; ovary 3 × 2 mm; style 14 mm; stigma 0.5 × 1 mm. Fruiting pedicels 2.7–3.9 cm. Fruiting calyces 1.2–1.7 × 2–2.6 cm. Berries usually black, rarely yellow, 1.1–1.2 × 1.1–1.4 cm. Seeds golden brown, 2 × 1.5 mm, testa alveolate. 2n = 72.
Phenology: Flowering Jun–Aug.
Habitat: Waste places.
Elevation: 0–600 m.
Distribution
Mich., N.J., Wash., Europe, w Asia, n Africa, introduced also in South America.
Discussion
The whole plant of Atropa belladonna is poisonous, containing hyoscyamine, scopolamine, and atropine (J. M. Rowson 1950). In herbal medicine, belladonna has been used for the treatment of headache, menstrual symptoms, peptic ulcer disease, inflammation, and motion sickness and may have some efficacy in treating such complaints as irritable bowel syndrome (C. Ulbricht et al. 2004). Atropine is used in ophthalmic medicine and was used as a nerve-gas antidote in the first Gulf War (T. R. Forbes 1977; D. J. Mabberley 2008).
Reports of Atropa belladonna from Newfoundland (P. J. Scott 1991), New York (R. S. Mitchell 1986), and Oregon (C. L. Hitchcock et al. 1955–1969) were not verified. Belladonna is known from California as an agricultural weed but is not established in that state.
Selected References
None.