Why is deadly nightshade poisonous

Nightshades may also accumulate toxic levels of nitrate. Description A hairless, spineless, erect, or trailing, branched annual plant with simple, ovate to lanceolate sinuate-toothed leaves. The flowers have 5 white petals arranged in a mm star. The flower clusters of arise from a stalk that is situated between leaf nodes. The smooth, round, mm fruits are initially green, turning black when ripe. The green fruits are toxic, but the ripe, black fruits are edible.

Gastrointestinal Excess salivation, colic, diarrhea. Found mainly on chalky soils, particularly on recently disturbed ground, this bushy perennial has bell-shaped flowers that appear from June to August. How to identify Deadly nightshade has oval, pointed leaves that are pale green and strongly ribbed. Purple-brown flowers appear before the berries, which are green at first, turning to shiny black, and look a little like cherries.

Distribution Mainly found in Central and Southern England. Habitats Grassland Heathland and moorland Woodland.

Did you know? Although the berries might be the most tempting part of Deadly nightshade, all parts of this plant are poisonous if ingested.

It causes a range of symptoms including blurred vision, a rash, headaches, slurred speech, hallucinations, convulsions and eventually death. How people can help Although they might not look especially wildlife-friendly, our roadside verges, railway cuttings and waste grounds can provide valuable habitats for all kinds of plants and animals. Fruit: shiny black berries with five sepals visible where the fruit attaches to the plant.

The berries are also highly poisonous. Not to be confused with: bittersweet, known as woody nightshade, which has the same colour flowers as deadly nightshade. However, the flowers of bittersweet have noticeable yellow anthers and are suspended from purple stems. The berries are red instead of black, though both are poisonous. Look in scrubby areas and woodland, but also along paths and banks. Find it in the southern half of Britain on calcareous chalky soil and in areas where soil has been disturbed.

Some birds can eat the berries of deadly nightshade although they are more likely to take fruits from other plant species. The berries are also poisonous to various mammals, but eaten by rabbits and even cows! Deadly nightshade was said to be the property of the Devil, meaning that anyone who eats the berries is punished for eating his fruit.

In art and poetry, it represents danger and betrayal. Medicines made from the plant are said to ease abdominal problems and motion sickness.