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June 5, 2007 : Atropa belladonna
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Keywords: Solanaceae | Atropa belladonna L. | 34604-0433-1999
I've previously featured deadly nightshade in fruit, so that entry contains some background on this poisonous plant. The epithet belladonna translates to “beautiful lady”. The reason commonly cited for the name is the attractiveness caused by the pupil dilation that accompanies an application of atropine to the eye (this technique was used centuries ago as part of make-up preparations). I'm not entirely convinced, though, as I have a suspicion that the name predates that practice. Perhaps it has more to do with the legend of the plant metamorphosizing into a woman on Walpurgis Night. Or, perhaps it was the Roman equivalent of “beer goggles”, where nightshade-laced wine had the effect of reducing inhibitions and inducing hallucinations.
As Stephen Howser explains in this article on Atropa belladonna for the Southern Illinois University Herbarium, deadly nightshade has had other uses besides beauty and parties. It could be considered one of the first chemical weapons, as Romans used it to poison enemy food supplies. Contrarily, it was also developed as an antidote to a (never deployed) nerve gas in World War II. Historically, it was also blended with other plants to create a local anesthetic.
Posted by Daniel Mosquin at June 5, 2007 12:41 AM
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Posted by: Beverley at June 5, 2007 8:19 AM
I would say that a "beautiful lady" being highly deadly is actually a very common theme in classical mythology, and it derives from a source like that.
Posted by: scot at June 6, 2007 2:12 AM
There's also a very attractive yellow-flowered and pale-fruited form which I grew for a few years in my English garden. It makes a very attractive plant for wilder areas and self seeds a little.
Cases of poisoning in Britain, by the way, were often the result of children picking wild blackberries thoughtlessly adding deadly nightshade berries growing amongst the blackberries to their basket.
Posted by: Graham Rice 
at June 7, 2007 2:18 PM
Where can I find some Atropa Belladonna/Atropa Belladonna var. lutea?
Please tell me as I really desire to aquire some and have been searching for years.
If you can help then I thank you.
Posted by: The Covert Toxicologist at November 12, 2007 8:11 AM
Sweet plants, yo
Posted by: Awesome Sauce at June 10, 2008 9:41 AM
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Atropa belladonna - Z7 - RHS Index of Garden Plants, Griffiths