Nightshade, american

Authors:Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer, Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Synonym(s)

Kermes Berry; Phytolacca americana

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please login to access all articles, images, and functions.

Our content is available exclusively to medical professionals. If you have already registered, please login. If you haven't, you can register for free (medical professionals only).

Requires free registration (medical professionals only)

Please complete your registration to access all articles and images.

To gain access, you must complete your registration. You either haven't confirmed your e-mail address or we still need proof that you are a member of the medical profession.

Finish your registration now

DefinitionThis section has been translated automatically.

The American nightshade, also called Phytolacca americana, is a plant of the genus Phytolacca within the family Phytolaccaceae. The plant is found in North America and Southern Europe.

General informationThis section has been translated automatically.

Phytolacca americana is a perennial and herbaceous plant that reaches a maximum height of 2 meters. The upright stem is mostly reddish in colour, the flowers are radially symmetrical and also red in colour, the petals are mostly greenish-white. The roots of the plant are mostly thick and fleshy. As fruit the plant bears fleshy and flat berries.

The American nightshade is a parent plant of Radix Phytolaccae decandrae, the saponine-containing cermes berries.

Authors

Last updated on: 29.10.2020

Authors: Prof. Dr. med. Peter Altmeyer Prof. Dr. med. Martina Bacharach-Buhles