Botanical Name: Atropa belladonna Atropa belladonna is a branching herbaceous perennial rhizomatous hemicryptophyte, often growing as a subshrub from a fleshy rootstock. The root of the plant is generally the most toxic part, though this can vary from one specimen to another. The active agents in belladonna, atropine, hyoscine (scopolamine), and hyoscyamine, have anticholinergic properties.