belladonna

Everyday

1. A very poisonous plant, also called deadly nightshade, with purple flowers and shiny black berries. tree →
2. A drug made from this plant, used carefully in medicine (for example to widen the pupils of the eyes). tree →

In the lessons

In science and safety lessons belladonna is an example of a poisonous wild plant: never eat berries you do not know. Its name means «beautiful lady» in Italian, because long ago women used drops of it to make their eyes look bigger, which was dangerous. In stories it is a poison used by villains.

Examples

• Belladonna berries are shiny, black and very poisonous. tree →
• Never eat wild berries; they might be belladonna. tree →
• Belladonna is also called deadly nightshade. tree →
• In the mystery story, the poison was belladonna. tree →
• Long ago, ladies used belladonna drops to make their pupils big. tree →
• Doctors make a medicine from belladonna, used in tiny doses. tree →

Note

Say «bell-uh-DON-uh». Italian «bella donna» = beautiful lady. Deadly nightshade is very dangerous: even a few berries can kill a child. Do not confuse with the harmless-ish tomato and potato, which are in the same plant family.