20 of the World's Deadliest Plants
Belladonna
Where it occurs: In Northern Africa, Europe, Southern Russia, Asia Minor, and parts of North America.Belladonna looks like a bush with black berries and pinkish flowers. It contains atropine, an alkaloid causing pupil dilation. In the Middle Ages, belladonna drops were used to make the eyes more attractive. Today similar drops are used during eye operations. Why it is dangerous: Mild poisoning leads to palpitations and dryness and burning in the mouth. Severe poisoning causes complete loss of orientation and sometimes cramps and death.
