Deadly nightshade

About

Deadly nightshade is one of the most poisonous plants in Europe. In Ukraine, it occurs in the Carpathians, in the Crimean Mountains, in Roztocze, Opillia, and in the western Forest-Steppe. In the Carpathians, it can be found in clearings, glades, forest edges, and along forest roads in beech and mixed forests.

It is a perennial herbaceous plant 0.5–2 m tall with a sprawling stem. The leaves are large, oval, pointed, often sitting in pairs — a large one next to a smaller one. The flowers are solitary, bell-shaped, brownish-purple, with a yellowish interior, appearing from June to August.

The berry is shiny, black, the size of a cherry, sitting alone in a wide star-shaped calyx made up of five green segments. It ripens in August to September and has a sweetish taste, making it particularly dangerous for children. All parts of the plant contain tropane alkaloids: poisoning manifests as dry mouth, dilated pupils, skin redness, rapid heartbeat, agitation, and hallucinations.

The black berry of deadly nightshade is confused with blueberries or cherries, and also with small clusters of black nightshade. The main differences are: tall grass, solitary large shiny berries, and a star-shaped calyx.

Deadly nightshade is listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine with the status of "vulnerable". Therefore, the plant cannot be collected or destroyed — it is enough to recognize it and avoid it.

Where in the Carpathians

The map shows where naturalists recorded the species (GBIF, CC0 and CC BY records), not every place it lives. The Ukrainian Carpathians are less studied, so a blank area does not mean the species is absent.

Countries

Slovakia · Czechia · Ukraine · Hungary · Romania · Poland · Austria · Serbia

Mountain ranges

Moravian-Silesian Beskids, White Carpathians, Pokuttia-Bukovina Carpathians, Bükk, Kysuce Beskids, Low Tatras, Slovak Ore Mountains, Rivna Polonyna, Slovak Paradise, Little Carpathians

Altitude belts

Foothills (below 600 m) · Beech forests (600–1200 m)

When to see it

From naturalists’ observations in the Carpathians (iNaturalist, research grade): the darker the cell, the more often the species is seen that month.

Safety

Deadly poisonous: berries, leaves, and roots. The berries are sweetish, making them particularly dangerous for children. After contact with the plant, wash your hands and do not touch your eyes. Do not give unfamiliar berries to children and teach them not to taste anything in the forest without adults. In case of suspected poisoning, call 103 (or 112) and take a branch or berry of the plant with you.

Look-alikes — how to tell them apart

Protection and rules

Listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine (vulnerable). Collecting and destroying is prohibited.

Admire, don’t pick: plants listed in the Red Data Book of Ukraine — and any plants in nature reserves and strictly protected zones of national parks — must not be collected.

Red Data Book of Ukraine

FAQ