Scopolia

Scopolia carniolica

Family: Solanaceae

Related Genera: Atropa, Capsicum, Datura, Hyoscyamus, Mandragora, Nicotiana, Solanum

Names: Henbane Bell, Bijeli bun, Krainer Tollkraut, Glockenbilsenkraut

General: Perennial, poisonous plant in the Solanaceae family, native to South-Eastern Europe from lowlands to mountain zones, found foremost on wet soils in beech forests. The flowers are colored a dark brownish purple on the outside and brown-green to yellow on the inside. They are bell-shaped, looking somewhat similar to those of Belladonna, but larger and hanging downwards. Flowering time is in April and May. They produce a yellow-green fruit, which is surrounded by a lampion-like calyx, containing around 30-50 seeds. The fruits have been mistaken for those of Nicandra physaloides.

History & Folklore: Henbane Bells have been cultivated since the 18th century. The name Scopolia was given to the plant by Carl von Linné in honor of Italian botanist Giovanni Antonio Scopoli, whereas carniolica is refering to its native region. The plant may have been used in 'witch' salves and ointments, similar as Belladonna, Henbane or Mandrake, used as an aphrodisiac and as a psycho-active agent or entheogen. It has also been added to beer, in philtres and used elsewhere for enhancing intoxication.

Scopolia carniolica is the symbol of the Slovenian Society of Anaesthesiology and Intensive Care Medicine.

Medicinal & Toxicological: Contains several alkaloids, like most species in the Solanaceae family. The main alkaloid is S-Hyoscyamine (about half the amount as in Atropa belladonna). Highest amount of active substances is during the flowering period and ripening of the fruits. Besides this, the roots are said to contain the greatest amount of active agents. the rhizome is gathered in autumn, cut at one side and dried.

Poisoning can cause nausea, vomiting, blushes, mydriasis, hallucinations, spasms, impaired speech and vision disorders. An overdose may ultimately lead to death through respiratory paralysis.

Sowing & Growing: Sow flat on seed sowing compost, which has been mixed with sand. Make sure the soil stays moist but not wet. Don't allow for seedlings to fall dry. Germinate in containers, in a well-lit place. Sow early in spring. Plant outdoors in autumn, once the plant has died back. Like A . belldonna they develop a strong rhizome. They are hardy and will sprout new early in spring, flowering early, sometimes when it is still snowing. Protect from slugs.

Other Species: Japanese Belladonna (Scopolia japonica), Himalayan Belladonna (Scopolia tangutica), Scopolia lutescens, Korean Scopolia parviflora

Sources: Wikipedia, Botanikus, Tollkraut und Hexenprozesse, Flora Croatica, Plants for a Future, Preparation of the rhizome

Photo by Wiebke Rost © 2013