SummaryMeasurement of tropane alkaloid content in leaves of Atropa acuminata after mechanical damage showed a maximum increase to 153 % of the control 8 days later. There were no changes in the root or stem after similar damage. The plant responded to repeated mechanical damage by doubling its alkaloid content at 11 days after the initial wounding. But on further treatments, there was a slight decrease in alkaloid content with time. Mollusc feeding prodnced an increase of 164 % in alkaloid content after 4 days.These results indicate that induced defence systems in angiosperms can vary considerably from plant species to plant species and that the effects of mechanical damage may differ in different parts of the same plant.

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A chemical comparison between Atropa acuminata and A. Belladonna shows that there are significant differences in the secondary metabolites present. The purple‐black berry pigment of A.acuminata is the anthocyanin delphanin, while that of A. Belladonna is the 0‐methylated derivative, petanin. There are differences in the flavonols and hydroxycinnamic acid esters present, e.g.quercetin 3‐methyl ether is restricted in its occurrence to A.belladonna. Likewise, the amounts of major alkaloids vary greatly, especially in the roots, and the minor alkaloids also differ. The distribution within the plant can also vary: 6‐hydroxyhyoscyamine is present in the stem of A. Acuminata and in the root of A. Belladonna. The chemical results thus suggest that A. Acuminate should be maintained as a species distinct from A.belladonna.

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