Deadly Nightshade

'Apply for seductive eyes'

Deadly nightshade was used in ancient times to poison wolves and enemies. Atropos was a Greek goddess, her name meaning ‘the inevitable’. The berries constitute a danger to children because they are attractive to the eye and sweet to the taste. Two to five berries are fatal for children; 10 – 20 will kill an adult. Birds however are not affected. The root is in general the most poisonous part, but even the consumption of the leaves is strongly discouraged. The plant contains atropine, a substance that affects the parasympathetic nervous system that controls the body’s involuntary actions such as sweating, breathing and regulating the heartbeat. Atropine from the deadly nightshade dilates the pupils and is used in a low dosage in eye drops by ophthalmologists to enable them to better examine the eye. This effect (dilated pupils) was considered by women in times gone by to be attractive, hence the name Belladonna. It is not recommended today since continual use leads to blindness. Surprisingly deadly nightshade has no affect on cattle or rabbits.

Ecology and habitat

Outside the Netherland deadly nightshade can be found in southern- middle- and western Europe, West Asia and North Africa. In the Netherlands deadly nightshade is traditionally a rare plant of damp soils rich in humus, lime and nitrogen occurring in sun gaps and clearings in deciduous woods. Only in South Limburg and Gelderland do they grow really wild. Sometimes they can be found in shady places within the town, possibly having escaped from physic gardens.

Threats

Deadly nightshade is encountered infrequently in the Netherlands and is on the Red List because of its limited occurrence in the wild. For centuries deadly nightshade can be found in many botanic gardens with the medicinal plants.