Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Solanaceae
Growth habit
Herbaceous
Perennation
Annual
Native distribution
Mexico
Biocultural value
Leaves contain powerful narcotic alkaloids, hyoscymine and atropine, long known for their painkilling and anti-spasmotic actions. CAUTION: Overdoses can be fatal.
Location
Source of plant
Cornell Botanic Gardens
Description
Annual to 2m, glabrous to short pubescent. Leaves musky, elliptic to ovate, to 18x15cm, apex acute, base cuneate to cordate, margin sinuate, dentate or lobed. Flowers white or purple; calyx to 5cm, teeth unequal, to 1cm; corolla to 10cm, funneliform. Fruits to 10x14cm, 5 lobed, erect, spines to 1.5cm, slender.
USDA Hardiness Zone
7
Special characteristics
medicinal/pharmaceutical