Deadly nightshade

[AlexandraPeppernose]

I've just found a plant with berries in my garden that the app has identified it as deadly nightshade.

I googled and now I'm terrified 😬

Am I okay to just dig it out like I do other weeds?

If not, what should I do?

Also I've attached a pic. Please feel free to tell me my app is rubbish and its just a blackberry.

Thank you

Never rely on an app. That’s Black Nightshade, Solanum nigrum, not Deadly Nightshade, Atropa belladonna. Deadly nightshade has the large calyces persisting around the berries. Either way, it’s not a problem. Just remove it or leave it as you wish. Wash your hands before eating, but presumably you’d do that anyway.

Both Deadly and Black Nightshade are in the same family as tomatoes and potatoes.

I'm always amazed at the knowledge of some MNers! @MereDintofPandiculation

Actually, re-reading the OP, I will get my comment deleted. It isn't witty, it's snarky. Still say that @MereDintofPandiculation is bang bang on the money.

Thanks so much. I just pulled it out in the end. The Internet told me the leaves and stem and smell were toxic and my cat was going to die after I'd been fingering it all over hence my (slightly hyperbolic) terror 😹

Atropa belladonna is toxic but I don't think it's high on the list of things that actually kill cats. They have to get into close contact first, and I don't think there's anything about it that says to a cat "eat me". But you have to feel confident, there's no point in stressing because you're worried about a particular plant in the garden, just get rid. *///58

Atropa belladonna is a UK wild plant. The name belladonna, meaning "beautiful lady" is from its use by women to widen pupils to give the "I'm ready for sex" look that was thought attractive. The active ingredient atropine can be used to correct a slow heart beat, and has a use in counteracting some other poisonous substances.

It's also used for cats - google atropine cat - there's a wealth of information.

Black nightshade berries are regarded as edible, but it's only some strains of black nightshade so don't go experimenting! Solanaceae is not a family to mess with - it may provide a lot of our food, but also has a lot of poisonous members. (Carrot family and Pea family are two more not to mess with).