Which plant, also called deadly nightshade, produces the alkaloid atropine?

The plant also called deadly nightshade that produces the alkaloid atropine is Atropa belladonna.

Atropa belladonna is a poisonous perennial in the nightshade family, Solanaceae, which also includes tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplants. Its leaves, roots, flowers, and attractive black berries contain tropane alkaloids, including atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine.

Atropine blocks muscarinic acetylcholine receptors, affecting involuntary functions such as pupil size, heart rate, sweating, and digestion. This makes it dangerous in uncontrolled doses but valuable in medicine for treating certain poisonings, slow heart rate, and some eye conditions. The name belladonna means “beautiful woman” in Italian, recalling its historical cosmetic association with dilated pupils.

A common mix-up is confusing deadly nightshade with related plants such as henbane and Datura, which can also contain atropine-like alkaloids. However, when a question identifies the plant specifically as deadly nightshade, Atropa belladonna is the canonical answer. Its berries can look appealing, but the plant is highly toxic and should never be consumed.