What are the side effects of nightshade berries?

December 24, 2025 •

3 min read

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) is one of the most toxic plants known, and consuming its attractive black berries can have fatal consequences. Understanding what are the side effects of nightshade berries is crucial for anyone who spends time outdoors, especially in areas where these plants grow wild.

Quick Summary

Ingesting nightshade berries can cause a range of toxic effects, including severe gastrointestinal issues, neurological symptoms like confusion and hallucinations, and potentially life-threatening cardiovascular and respiratory complications. Toxicity varies by species and ripeness.

Key Points

Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna): The most toxic nightshade, with shiny black berries that can be fatal even in small doses.
Toxicity in Unripe Berries: For black and bittersweet nightshades, the green, unripe berries are the most toxic, though ripe berries also carry risk.
Alkaloid Effects: Toxic compounds like atropine, scopolamine, and solanine affect the central and peripheral nervous systems.
Serious Symptoms: Symptoms of nightshade poisoning can include dilated pupils, confusion, hallucinations, dry mouth, and rapid heart rate.
Emergency Action: Immediate medical attention is required for any suspected ingestion of poisonous nightshade berries.
Prevention is Key: Never eat wild berries unless you are certain they are safe, as some toxic berries can look similar to edible ones.

A Closer Look at the Danger of Nightshade Berries

The nightshade family, or Solanaceae, includes many common food plants like tomatoes, potatoes, and eggplant. However, it also includes notoriously poisonous species, such as deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna) and bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara), whose berries pose a serious health risk. The primary danger comes from toxic alkaloids like atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and solanine, which can affect the nervous system and disrupt involuntary bodily functions. The severity of side effects depends on the specific plant, the amount ingested, and the ripeness of the berries.

Symptoms of Deadly Nightshade (Atropa Belladonna) Poisoning

Deadly nightshade is particularly dangerous due to its high concentration of tropane alkaloids. The berries, which are shiny and black when ripe, are especially tempting to children but contain enough poison to be fatal. Symptoms of poisoning can include:

Neurological Effects: Confusion, delirium, hallucinations, agitated behavior, and loss of sensation. Severe cases can lead to seizures and coma.
Ocular Symptoms: Markedly dilated pupils (mydriasis) and blurred vision, which can cause significant light sensitivity.
Gastrointestinal Issues: Severe dry mouth and throat, nausea, vomiting, and constipation.
Cardiovascular and Respiratory Effects: Rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and slowed or difficulty breathing can occur, potentially leading to respiratory failure and death.
Skin Manifestations: Flushing and a characteristic red rash.

Symptoms of Black and Bittersweet Nightshade Poisoning

While less potent than deadly nightshade, black nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and bittersweet nightshade (Solanum dulcamara) also contain toxic compounds, primarily solanine. The toxicity is highest in the unripe, green berries and decreases as they mature. The side effects are often less severe but can still be very serious, particularly for children or pets.

Common symptoms include:

Diarrhea
Stomach pain and cramping
Vomiting
Drowsiness or depression of the central nervous system
In some cases, slowed heart rate and weakness

Comparison of Common Poisonous Nightshade Berries


Feature	Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna)	Bittersweet Nightshade (Solanum dulcamara)	Black Nightshade (Solanum nigrum)
Toxicity Level	Extremely High; potentially fatal.	Moderate; dangerous if ingested, especially for children.	Varies by ripeness; unripe green berries are most toxic.
Color	Shiny, black.	Mature to bright red.	Clusters of spherical, dull-black berries when ripe.
Active Toxins	Tropane alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine.	Steroidal alkaloids, including solanine.	Steroidal alkaloids, primarily solanine.
Key Symptoms	Dilated pupils, dry mouth, rapid heartbeat, hallucinations, delirium.	Gastrointestinal upset, vomiting, diarrhea, neurological issues in severe cases.	Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea; severe cases lead to drowsiness and CNS depression.

What to Do if You Suspect Nightshade Poisoning

Ingestion of any potentially toxic nightshade berry is a medical emergency. Do not wait for symptoms to appear. Immediate action is critical. First, contact your local poison control center or emergency services right away. Be prepared to provide details about the person's age, weight, the type of berry ingested (if known), the quantity, and the time of ingestion. Medical professionals will provide guidance on the next steps, which may include inducing vomiting only if instructed.

Conclusion: Avoid All Wild Berries

The danger posed by poisonous nightshade berries highlights a critical safety lesson: never consume wild berries unless you are 100% certain of their identification and safety. While the side effects of nightshade berries range from mild distress to lethal poisoning, the risk is not worth taking. Educate children and other vulnerable individuals about the dangers and the importance of not tasting unknown plants. If poisoning is suspected, immediate professional medical help is the only safe course of action. For further reading on how to safely identify and handle potentially toxic plants, visit the ASPCA Poison Control website.

Frequently Asked Questions

Handling deadly nightshade berries typically does not cause poisoning through skin contact unless you have open cuts or absorb toxins while eating or rubbing your eyes. However, some sensitive individuals may experience a rash or dermatitis.

For certain species like black nightshade, the toxicity decreases as the berries ripen from green to black. However, this is not true for all poisonous nightshades, such as deadly nightshade (belladonna), which remains highly toxic when ripe. For this reason, it is never safe to assume a wild berry is non-toxic based on its color.

No. The nightshade family (Solanaceae) also includes many edible species like tomatoes, potatoes, and bell peppers. However, this family contains highly toxic species like deadly nightshade and bittersweet nightshade, making it essential to accurately identify any wild berries before consumption.

Ingesting just two to four deadly nightshade (belladonna) berries can be fatal to a child, and an adult can be killed by a handful. The lethal dose can vary depending on factors such as the person's age, weight, and individual sensitivity.

The primary toxins are alkaloids. In deadly nightshade, these are tropane alkaloids like atropine and scopolamine. In other species like black nightshade, the main toxin is solanine, a steroidal glycoalkaloid.

Yes, many nightshade species are toxic to domestic animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. Symptoms in pets can include hypersalivation, gastrointestinal upset, lethargy, and weakness. If you suspect your pet has eaten a nightshade berry, contact a veterinarian or the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center immediately.

Treatment for nightshade poisoning is primarily supportive and focused on managing symptoms. In some cases, specific antidotes like physostigmine or neostigmine may be used to counteract the effects of anticholinergic toxins. Immediate medical evacuation is necessary for severe poisoning.