Datura

This poisonous flowering plant is a member of the nightshade family, and also goes by the names jimsonweed, thorn apple, moon flower, devil’s trumpet, and devil’s snare. This annual bushy herb grows 2-5’ tall and flowers throughout the summer. Flowers bloom at night and are fragrant, trumpet-shaped, and violet/creamy/white in color. Nocturnal moths pollinate the flowers. WARNING: all parts of the plant contain dangerous levels of tropane alkaloids which can result in poisoning. Best to wash hands if you handle the plant or wear gloves. Traditionally however, this powerful and magical plant was used in sacred ceremonies of indigenous peoples throughout the Americas. Tags: Season: Summer.

Origins are in Central America, but now grows in many regions of the world. It’s considered an aggressive and invasive weed in temperate and tropical climates. The plant’s genus name is Sanskrit, and translates to “white thorn apple”. Its species name, “stramonium” comes from Greek, which roughly translates to “nightshade” and “which makes mad”, alluding to the altered state that the plant induces. The seeds can lie dormant underground for years and germinate when the soil is disturbed along roads, wastelands, dumps meadows, and ditches.