Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade) 20 Seeds

Description

Atropa belladonna, commonly known as deadly nightshade, is a highly poisonous plant belonging to the Solanaceae (nightshade) family. It has a long history of use in medicine, cosmetics, and even poisonings.

Deadly Nightshade is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows up to 1.5 metres tall. It has broad, dark green, and oval-shaped leaves. The flowers are bell-shaped, purple-brown, and about 2–3 cm long. Atropa belladonna produces shiny black berries that are highly toxic, the plant root is also highly toxic.

Atropa belladonna prefers a temperate climate, it does not tolerate extreme heat or cold temperatures. Best to position in partial shade or dappled sunlight using a rich, well-draining soil with high organic matter.

Warning – This species contains alkaloids like atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, which affect the nervous system. Symptoms of poisoning include dry mouth, dilated pupils, blurred vision, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, and confusion. In severe cases, it has caused convulsions, coma, and even death. Just a few berries can be fatal to children.

Historically, Deadly Nightshade has been used as a poison in assassinations e.g., by the Romans and in medieval Europe. During the Renaissance, Italian women used belladonna extract to dilate their pupils, making their eyes appear more attractive, hence the name “belladonna,” meaning “beautiful lady” in Italian.

Germination Tips: To germinate Atropa belladonna seeds sow seeds 2-3mm deep – only lightly cover them with potting mix. Keep soil evenly moist (not soggy) but not water-logged. Germination may take 3–6 weeks at a temperature of around 20–25°C.

Optional Scarification (Not essential but can be helpful): Cold Stratify for 4-6 weeks – Place seeds in a sealed plastic bag with moist vermiculite or sand, then refrigerate (not freeze).

Our Guarantee

We personally count every seed packet to ensure it contains at least the specified number of seeds. However, mistakes can happen, so please reach out if you notice any inconsistencies.

These seeds are believed to meet the standard viability percentage for their species, sourced either from our own SAB nursery or from reputable, trusted breeders.

Do not hesitate to contact us for up-to-date germination rates or for a germination test to be conducted.

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*Traditional uses and general information on products are provided for educational purposes only. We do not make any therapeutic claims. Nothing contained in this site is intended to be used as medical advice and it is not intended to be used to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. Nor should it be used for therapeutic purposes or as a substitute for your own health professional’s advice.