Alkaloids Collection

Engraving depicting some Cinchona, a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae
5309320 Engraving depicting some Cinchona, a genus of flowering plants in the family Rubiaceae, and the source of the alkaloid Quina which is used in tonic water

Poisonous plants. As well as the poisonous Black or Common Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) top left
541215 Poisonous plants. As well as the poisonous Black or Common Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) top left, and Woody Nightshade or Bittersweet (Solanum dulcarama) top right

Sacred Datura, Havasu Canyon, Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona

Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum). This plant belongs to the nightshade family and contains poisonous alkaloids

Poisonous plants. As well as the poisonous Black or Common Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) top left, and Woody Nightshade or Bittersweet (Solanum dulcarama) top right

Cyanide and strychnine in blood, artwork C016 / 7682
Cyanide and strychnine in blood. Computer artwork showing the structural formulas of cyanide and strychnine in blood (red)

Thorn apple (Datura stramonium) seed pod. This plant is a member of the nightshade family. It contains poisonous alkaloids. Photographed in disturbed ground in the UK

Thorn apple (Datura stramonium) seeds. This plant is a member of the nightshade family. It contains poisonous alkaloids. Photographed in the UK

Sticky nightshade fruits (Solanum sisymbriifolium). Photographed in autumn

Deadly nightshade (Atropa bella-donna)
Deadly nightshade plants (Atropa bella-donna) in flower. This plant is highly poisonous. It contains toxic alkaloids, including atropine

Woodland tobacco (Nicotiana sylvestris)
Woodland tobacco flowers (Nicotiana sylvestris). This plant is a member of the nightshades family. it contains nicotine and all parts of it are poisonous if ingested

Hemlock (Conium maculatum)
Hemlock foliage (Conium maculatum). This plant is very poisonous. It contains toxic alkaloids which cause paralysis of the respiratory nerves, leading to death from suffocation

Spiny nightshade (Solanum pyracantha)
Spiny nightshade flower (Solanum pyracantha). Photographed in autumn

Deadly nightshade (Atropa belladonna)
Deadly nightshade flowers (Atropa belladonna). This plant is highly poisonous. It contains the toxic alkaloid atropine, which is used by ophthalmologists to dilate pupils during eye examinations

Downy thorn apple (Datura inoxia)
Downy thorn apple flower (Datura inoxia). This plant is a member of the nightshade family. It contains poisonous alkaloids

Thorn apple seed pod. The thorn apple (Datura stramonium) is a poisonous plant of the nightshade family. It has been used in herbal medicine as a painkiller and to treat asthma

European spindletree (Euonymus europaeus). This shrub is poisonous to both humans and livestock. It bears fleshy orange fruits, the seeds of which contain cardiac glycosides and alkaloids

Science / Robert Robinson
ROBERT ROBINSON Scientist; pioneer in the synthetic production of penicillin; winner of the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1947 for his work on alkaloids

Ylang-ylang, in flower. Heavily-perfumed flowers, and very medicinal chemically-active plant. Costa Rica
ROG-12128 Ylang-ylang, in flower Costa Rica Cananga odorata Bob Gibbons Please note that prints are for personal display purposes only and may not be reproduced in any way

Madagascar / Rosy Periwinkle. Grown in gardens, but also highly-active medicinally, with at least 70 alkaloids
ROG-12098 Madagascar / Rosy Periwinkle - grown in gardens, but also highly-active medicinally, with at least 70 alkaloids Florida

All Professionally Made to Order for Quick Shipping

Alkaloids: Unveiling the Dark Side of Nature Step into the mysterious world of alkaloids, where nature's beauty intertwines with deadly secrets. These compounds, found in various plants across the globe, possess a potent toxicity that has both fascinated and terrified humankind for centuries. Amongst these poisonous botanical wonders lie infamous members like Deadly Nightshade (Atropa belladonna), lurking ominously at the bottom left corner. Its alluring berries have seduced many unsuspecting victims throughout history. Alongside it, we encounter Black or Common Nightshade (Solanum nigrum) and Woody Nightshade or Bittersweet (Solanum dulcamara), equally treacherous in their own right. Delving deeper into this captivating narrative, we stumble upon an engraving from 1518 depicting the Dancing Plague that struck Strasbourg, Alsace. A haunting reminder of how alkaloid-induced hysteria can grip communities and lead to inexplicable mass dances. The Strychnine tree (Strychnos nux-vomica) emerges next—a chromolithograph from c. 1890 showcasing its allure amidst danger. This plant holds within its seeds a lethal dose capable of inducing convulsions and paralysis if mishandled. Venturing further into diverse landscapes, we find ourselves standing before Sacred Datura in Havasu Canyon within Grand Canyon National Park, Arizona. Revered by Native American tribes for its spiritual properties but feared for its toxic effects when consumed without caution. Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum) beckons us with its mythical reputation as a magical herb while concealing potent alkaloids beneath its earthy exterior—both enchanting and perilous simultaneously. Journeying through time brings us to 19th-century China where opium smokers indulged in their addictive vice—an illustration capturing not only societal struggles but also highlighting the presence within this notorious substance.