Question

Atropa belladonna belongs to the family
a. Solanaceae
b. Malvaceae
c. Asteraceae
d. Poaceae

Answer 1

Atropa belladonna is commonly known as belladonna or deadly nightshade and it is a poisonous plant. It belongs to the same family as eggplant and is a native of Europe, west Asia, etc.

Complete Answer:
Atropa belladonna is commonly known as belladonna. It is a perennial herbaceous plant.

Option a: Atropa belladonna is a poisonous perennial herbaceous plant in the nightshade family Solanaceae. The Solanaceae family is also known as the potato family. They possess a taproot system, the stem is erect or climber. The Solanaceae family includes herbs, shrubs, small trees, and climbers.

Option b: Plants belonging to the Malvaceae family possess Stellate hairs on the young parts, mucilaginous juice, leaves alternate, stipulate, multicostate reticulation. E.g., Hibiscus, Cotton, etc.

Option c: Plants belonging to the Asteraceae are mostly herbaceous plants, but some shrubs, climbers, and trees are also included. They are generally easy to distinguish from other plants, mainly because of their characteristic inflorescence. E.g Sunflower.

Option d: Poaceae or Gramineae is a large and nearly ubiquitous family of monocotyledonous flowering plants known as grasses. It includes cereal grasses, bamboos.

Thus, the correct option is a) Solanaceae.

Note: It is to be noted that belladonna can be used as a pain reliever, muscle relaxer, and anti-inflammatory. But if taken without medical supervision it can be poisonous and can also lead to death of a human child. Consumption of belladonna can cause symptoms like hallucinations.