Atropa belladonna is a perennial branching herb growing to 5 feet tall, with 8 inch long ovate leaves. The leaves in first-year Atropa belladonna plants are larger than those of older plants. The flowers are bell-shaped, blue-purple or dull red, followed by a shiny, black or purple 0.5 inch berry. Native of Europe and Asia.

Atropa Belladonna (Deadly Nightshade, Witches Berry) was used in witchcraft, being equated with aggressive female sexuality and feelings of flight, thus accounting for the common image of witches flying on brooms. The active chemical, Atropine, is used in medicinal drugs today.

In earlier times in Italy, women used extracts of Atropa belladonna to dilate their eyes for cosmetic purposes; such use explains the origin of the common name (Italian, "beautiful woman"). Belladonna was also an important ingredient in Witches brew during the Middle ages, often being equated with aggressive female sexuality. A flying ointment salve was made from this plant along with others,and rubbed on the bodies of women. Experiments have shown that the subjective sensation of flight was a common theme with subjects under the influence of solanaceous compounds, not unlike what was reportedly experienced by witches.

With these seeds, I send you the complete history of Belladonna and Nightshade as well as instructions on how to plant, cultivate, and harvest the plant plus its uses. I also send you a couple recipes for the flying ointment as well as a copy of a Belladonna Love Spell. I do not sit and count these tiny seeds but would say you will receive 300+.