Solanaceae

Scopolia (Scopolia carniolica)

A rare nightshade which has a similar mystical worth in Eastern Europe to that of mandrake in the western hemisphere. Grows in most parts of Asia where it is used for medical purposes. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
20 Seeds

Growing instruction...

Boxthorn (Lycium barbarum)

Wild European nightshade variation- far from deadly, the sweet orange fruit may be eaten raw, used in cooking or -as in China- dried for infusions, which are considered a very nutritious tonic.
Seed packet

Growing instructions
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Asian thorn apple (Datura metel)

In India datura metel is central to various rituals. In combination with hemp it is smoked in honour of Shiwa.
10 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow early spring indoors. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and plant them out after the last expected frosts....

Black henbane (Hyoscyamus niger)

Antiquity embraced this poisonous herbaceous plant with the sticky hairy leaves and unpleasant smell for reasons of divine worship. In Medieval times henbane won recognition for its part in the concoction of flying potion and as an intoxicating additive to beer. Ethnologist speculate that the name Pilsner beer derives from the German word for henba...

Yellow belladonna (Atropa belladonna var. lutea)

This very rare type of nightshade carries yellow blossom and fruit. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
150 Seeds

Growing instructions
This plant is a cold-germinator. The sowing must be kept cold for a period of some weeks (refrigerator) or ...

Belladonna (Atropa belladonna var. belladonna)

The tention of a name which combines the Greek Goddess of destiny Atropos with bella donna, Latin for beautiful lady, speaks for itself. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
200 Seeds

Growing instructions
This plant is a cold-germinator. The s...

Angles trumpet (Brugmansia suaveolens)

A tropical nightshade with large, white, scented trumpet blossoms and a hallucinogenic effect. Caution: The whole plant is very poisonous and is particularly dangerous for children!
10 Seeds

Growing instructions
Brugmansias are be grown as pot plants in the North. Bottom heat greatly speeds u...

Mandrake (Mandragora officinarum)

The ancient Eygptian loved sweet mandrake beer. In Medieval Europe (and later) many magical atributes were ascribed to the root of this plant, especially if its shape resembled a human form complete with arms and legs. Uprooting it personally was sure to cause certain death, but possessing it -and caring for it like a child- held the promise of wea...

Wild tomato (Solanum pimpinellifolium)

This bushy plant holds very small and aromatic fruits, which ripen quickly. It is considered to be the wild form of many- perhaps even all- cultivated tomatoes. Hence it has remained a robust plant which can bare the weather.
50 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow early spring indoors. Germination is usually quick. Pot up the ...

Autumn Mandrake (Mandragora autumnalis)

Mandragora autumnalis is a perennial herb with thick tuberous roots native to Southern Europe. The ancient Eygptian loved sweet mandrake-beer. In Medieval Europe (and later) many magical atributes were ascribed to the root of this plant, especially if its shape resembled a human form complete with arms and legs. Also see Mandragora officinarum, Com...

Toloache (Datura inoxia)

This Mexican thorn apple is a sacred hallucinogenic, yerba del diablo in Castandas Don Juan. Accustomed to tropical conditions it will quite willingly grow indoors.
10 Seeds

Growing instructions
Sow early spring indoors. Pot up the seedlings into individual pots as soon as the first true leaf appears and plant them out af...

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium)

In Europe thorn apple has been gathered for at least 300 years. It is traditionally used in the treatment of asthma, but is better known for its mythical -and mystical- hallucinogenic effects. It is for these qualities that it is sued by Algonquin Indians as wysoccan for adolescent rites. Caution: The whole plant is very p...