Nightshade

Atropa belladonna is deadly nightshade. "Bella Donna" simply means "beautiful lady" and deadly nightshade had cosmetic use in dilating the pupils to make a face more open and appealing. But it is also the case that the medieval Latin for nightshade was 'bladona', which simply has its origins in the word for 'flower'. So the folk corruption to belladonna is inspired whimsy 

Jet-black berried deadly nightshade is a member of the Solanum genus, which is the largest genus of the nightshade family. Woody nightshade - the brightest scarlet of the red berries in an autumn hedgerow - is also a Solanum. Both have highly poisonous, potentially fatal, leaves and berries, though the poisons are different. Many less common species in the genus are also poisonous. There is not much doubt what kind of 'night' and 'shade' the name refers to 

We have had an extremely energetic day. The friend whose plant pots we are hosting has finally moved to their new home, 13 months after an offer was made and accepted. Both sets of estate agents involved in brokering the deals in the chain said this was their personal record! So our day was spent lifting and carrying and dragging and pushing and sweeping, and sweating. The outcome is that they will sleep in their own bed in their new home tonight - albeit that preparing breakfast may incorporate a treasure-hunt. A very satisfying outcome that frequently felt unattainable 

My one moment of calm was when I was dispatched to do our weekly veg run: collecting boxes from the grower and delivering them to pick-up points. This is a small plot of a variety that is obviously an enthusiastic producer of flowers, as well as tubers, which may mean it is also a producer of poisonous potato 'berries' - a reminder that this is also a nightshade: Solanum tuberosum. The display of flowers and bright green foliage - so far unaffected by the notorious blight - in the summer heat provided an instant of tranquility

In fact, I now realise I came away with our own veg box containing three nightshades. Not just potatoes, but also tomatoes and an aubergine (eggplant, brinjal), all of which are species of Solanum

Knowing your onions may help you succeed, but knowing your nightshades will keep you alive