T.E.R:R.A.I.N - Taranaki Educational Resource: Research, Analysis and Information Network

Thornapple (Datura stramonium)

Kingdom: Plantae
(Unranked): Angiosperms
(Unranked): Eudicots
(Unranked): Asterids
Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Datura
Species: D. stramonium
Binomial name: Datura stramonium
Common names: Thorn apple, Jimson weed, Devil's trumpet, Devil's weed, Tolguacha, Jamestown weed, Locoweed, Datura, Pricklyburr, Devil's cucumber, Hell's bells, Moonflower

Datura stramonium is a common weed in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family originally from America.
It is an erect annual herb forming a bush up 1–1.5 m tall. The leaves are soft, irregularly undulate, and toothed. 
The fragrant flowers are trumpet-shaped, white to creamy or violet, and up to 9 cm long. They rarely open completely
The egg-shaped seed capsule covered with spines. At maturity it splits into four chambers, each with dozens of small black seeds.
Parts of the plant, especially the seeds and leaves, are poisonous to stock and humans. There have been many hospitalizations, and deaths reported from people eating this plant.
It is found in gardens, road sides and waste places and pastures.

Datura stramonium trumpet like flower










Ripe seed capsule


Seed capsule opened up showing the small black seeds


An empty seed capsule late July




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