Atropa acuminata Royle ex Lindl., Hooker's J. Bot. Kew Gard. Misc. 1:138. 1849 (J. Hort. Soc. London 1:306. 1846)
syn: Atropa belladona Clarke (non L.)
Common names: Indian beladona, Indian deadly nightshade
Herb up to 1.6 m tall with alternate, ovate-lanceolate acuminate leaves; flowers yellow, 2-2.5 cm long, stamens included.
All parts of the plant contain the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine and bellodonnine, which are used as a sedative, antispasmodic, in convulsive disorders and as an antidote for poisoning. The black berries are very poisonous and cause delirium and dilation of the pupils.
Photographed from Gulmarg, Kashmir
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Dr. Gurcharan Singh
Retired Associate Professor
SGTB Khalsa College, University of Delhi, Delhi-110007
Res: 932 Anand Kunj, Vikas Puri, New Delhi-110018.
Phone: 011-25518297 Mob: 9810359089
http://people.du.ac.in/~singhg45/