familySolanaceae
genusAtropa
Show Lower Taxa
Atropa
Sp. Pl. 1: 181. 1753.
Common names: Belladonna
Introduced
Etymology: Greek atropos, inexorable or unchangeable, alluding to one of the three Moirai, goddesses of fate and destiny in Greek mythology
Treatment appears in FNA Volume 14.
Herbs, perennial, rhizomatous, glabrous or pubescent. Stems branching. Leaves alternate (sometimes geminate). Inflorescences axillary, solitary flowers. Flowers 5-merous; calyx accrescent, campanulate, 5-lobed, lobes acute to acuminate, widely flaring in fruit; corolla yellow or purple, radial, campanulate, lobes flaring to reflexed; stamens inserted at base of corolla tube, equal; anthers basifixed, ovate, (basally lobed), dehiscing by longitudinal slits; ovary 2-carpellate; style arched, curved; stigma capitate. Fruits berries, globose, fleshy. Seeds globose-reniform. x = 12.
Distribution
Introduced; Europe, w, c Asia, n Africa, introduced also in South America.
Discussion
Species 3 (1 in the flora).
Selected References
None.