Dispersal

Seed dispersal in A. belladonna is often accomplished through birds. Birds, especially pheasants, are known to eat many of the berries. Since the seeds are able to cling to both each other and the ovary walls, they can be carried great distances from their parent plant. The seeds are frequently found in bird droppings near bushes, under trees, or near other kinds of convenient perching areas. Humans also disperse the seeds as soil containing belladonna seeds or plants neighboring A. belladonna plants with seeds attached are transported to new locations. The seeds can also be dispersed by gravity when the fruits drop from the plant, usually around January. One additional dispersal method is through water, as the seeds are able to float in water for about 1.5 days (Butcher 1947).