Family:
Solanaceae
Toxic Parts:
leaves, fruits
Toxins:
tropane alkaloids
Flower Color:
  • flower color
  • flower color
Found:
woodlands

Time of Greatest Risk

JFMAMJJASOND

Geographical Distribution

Deadly Nightshade distribution - United States

Related Species

Deadly Nightshade

Atropa belladonna

Belladonna
10/ 10
Deadly Nightshade ( Atropa belladonna) is a branching perennial from the nightshade family Solanaceae. It is found worldwide. The plant can grow to a height of 2 m (6.6 ft) and contains ovate green leaves, bell-shaped greenish-purple flowers, and fleshy berries which are initially green but turn black as they age. Deadly nightshade’s roots, leaves and berries are extremely toxic---containing multiple tropane alkaloids, specifically atropine, hyocyamine and scopolamine. These chemicals act by competitively blocking the binding of acetylcholine to the central nervous system and parasympathetic postganglionic muscarinic receptors.