| nightshade | <botany> A common name of many species of the genus Solanum, given especially. To the Solanum nigrum, or black nightshade, a low, branching weed with small white flowers and black berries reputed to be poisonous. Deadly nightshade. Same as Belladonna . Enchanter's nightshade. See Enchanter. Stinking nightshade. See Henbane. Three-leaved nightshade. See Trillium. Origin: AS. Nichtscadu. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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| deadly nightshade | <botany> An herbaceous European plant (Atropa belladonna) with reddish bell-shaped flowers and shining black berries. The whole plant and its fruit are very poisonous, and the root and leaves are used as powerful medicinal agents. Its properties are largely due to the alkaloid atropine which it contains. Called also deadly nightshade. A species of Amaryllis (A. Belladonna); the belladonna lily. Origin: It, literally fine lady; bella beautiful + donna lady. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998) |
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