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jimsonweed
Scientific Name: Datura
Family: Solanaceae
Category: Dicot
Growth:
Duration:
Other Names:
Jimson Weed (Datura stramonium)
Datura stramonium, commonly known as Jimson weed or Devil's snare, is a plant belonging to the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It's known for its historical use as both a medicine and an intoxicant.
Considerations for Pets
- All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, contain alkaloids and are toxic to livestock when ingested.
Considerations for Children
- The plant has prickly, egg-shaped seed capsules.
- All parts of the plant, particularly the seeds, contain alkaloids and when ingested is toxic to humans.
Taxonomy and Nomenclature
- Scientific Name: Datura stramonium L.
- Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade or Potato Family)
- Common Names: Jimson weed, Devil's snare, Thorn apple, Devil's trumpet, Apple of Peru, and Stinkweed. Other names include: ivy Apple Peru ivy, Devil's apple ivy, Dhatura ivy, Devil's Trumpet, and Angel's Trumpet.
- Synonyms: Some sources simply list it as Datura spp.
Distribution and Habitat
- Believed to have originated in Mexico and potentially also native to India.
- Now found throughout the world, except in colder or Arctic regions.
- Commonly grows along roadsides, in cornfields and pastures, waste areas, gardens, fields, and other disturbed habitats.
Morphological Characteristics
- Summer annual broadleaf plant.
- Stout, coarse annual herb typically 2 to 5 feet tall, but can grow up to 6.5 feet (almost 2 meters).
- Spreading branches.
- Pale-green or purplish stem.
- Large, ovate, green or purplish, strong-scented leaves.
- Trumpet-shaped white or purplish flowers.
- Fruits are hard, spiny capsules which split open at maturity to release numerous tiny black seeds.
- Well-branched, shallow, and fibrous roots.
Ecological Role
- Jimsonweed is an introduced species in some regions and has spread rapidly.
Traditional Uses and Toxicity
- Historically used as a medicine and intoxicant.
- All parts of the plant, especially the seeds, contain toxic alkaloids.
- Reported cases of Jimson weed poisoning have occurred in various locations, including California, Colorado, Indiana, Oklahoma, and Pennsylvania.
Quirky Facts
- The name "Jimson weed" is derived from a poisoning incident in Jamestown, Virginia, where soldiers were affected after eating the plant in a salad.
- A 1932 painting of Jimson weed by Georgia O'Keeffe sold for a record-breaking price at auction. Elizabeth Arden commissioned O'Keeffe to paint Jimson Weed for her spa.
Further Information
- WebMD provides patient medical information on Jimson Weed.
- The CU Toxic Plant Pages offer information on Datura spp.
- Crop and Soil Environmental News, April 2004 provides addition information.