Atropa bella-donna
deadly nightshade
Europe, North Africa, and western Asia
Overview
Atropa bella-donna is an erect, branched perennial in the Solanaceae, reaching 2–5 feet (60–150 cm) tall from a thick, fleshy rootstock. The dull green leaves are ovate, pointed, and up to 8 inches (20 cm) long, often arranged in unequal pairs with one large and one small leaf at each node. Solitary, nodding, bell-shaped flowers, about 1–1.2 inches (2.5–3 cm) long, are dull violet-brown to greenish inside and appear from June to September. Each flower develops into a glossy black, many-seeded berry roughly 0.6 inch (1.5 cm) across, cupped by a persistent five-lobed green calyx. The plant grows in open woodland, scrub, and disturbed calcareous ground across Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. All parts contain tropane alkaloids, chiefly atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine, and ingestion of even small amounts of the sweet-tasting berries can be fatal to humans and animals. The species self-seeds into nearby ground and can persist as a long-lived weed once established. It dies back to the rootstock each winter and regrows in spring.
Native Range
Native to Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, on calcareous soils in open woodland, scrub, and disturbed ground. It has naturalised locally in parts of North America.Suggested Uses
Grown in physic and medicinal-history gardens, botanical collections, and shaded naturalistic plantings on chalky soils. It is also kept as a specimen of pharmacological interest in teaching gardens.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 5'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Flowers from June to September, with single flowers opening in the leaf axils over a long period. Black berries ripen from late summer into autumn and may overlap with later flowers.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
violet-brown to greenishFoliage Description
dull greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 3-6 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in partial shade to full sun on moist, free-draining, calcareous soils. Water needs are moderate, and the plant tolerates short dry spells once the deep rootstock is established. Propagation is by seed sown in autumn or by division of the rootstock in spring. Self-sown seedlings appear around established plants and can be removed where unwanted. All plant parts are poisonous, including the roots and the ripe berries. It is hardy to roughly USDA zone 5.Pruning
Dead stems can be cut to ground level in late autumn or winter after the foliage dies back. Spent flowering and fruiting branches can be removed during the season to limit self-seeding. No formative pruning is needed.Pruning Schedule
J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
fall
Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 5 gallons