This review deals with the fully aromatic quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids in several aspects. Firstly nomenclature principles for numbering fused heterocycles are given. Then the richest botanical sources of quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridines are mentioned as well as isolation, separation and determination methods are presented. The emphasis of this survey is focused on chemical reactivity. The main pharmacological effects of quaternary benzo[c]phenanthridine alkaloids are discussed.