Atropa belladonna (Deadly Nightshade)

It is named �Belladonna� for the beautiful women in the Italian Renaissance who would indulge in this poisonous plant to enlarge their pupils which were found more alluring. The genus name honors Atropa, one of the Three Fates of Greek mythology who severed the thread of life. Clotho her sister spun the �thread� of human fate (The Spinner), Lachesis measured the thread allotted to each person (The Allotter), and Atropos cut it (The Inevitable). As it�s poisonous, it should only be used under the guidance of a qualified practitioner. It is antispasmodic to the gut.