Jimsonweed Datura stramonium L.
Family: Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
Life cycle: Annual
Native status: Introduced, believed to originate in South America
Habitat: Pastures, waste areas
General description: Erect plant, 3 – 5 ft tall. Leaves are hairless, ovate, up to 8” long, margins unevenly dentate. Stem smooth, often reddish purple in color. Crushed leaves emit unpleasant odor. Large (4 in long), white funnel shaped flower. Fruit is a large, cylindrical, thorny capsule.
Key ID traits: Glabrous, dark green leaves with large, irregular teeth; strong, unpleasant odor when plant parts are crushed.
Similar species: Moonflower/white devil's trumpet is a cultivated Datura spp. producing large white flowers up to 10 inches long..
Miscellaneous: All parts of the plant are highly toxic. Many teenagers have been killed trying to use the plant for its hallucinogenic properties. Jimsonweed used to be common in hoglots when swine were raised outdoors since the pigs wouldn’t consume the jimsonweed. Sometimes called thornapple due to the spiny fruit. Name originates from Jamestown weed, due to the plant being used to poison British soldiers near Jamestown, VA in mid-1600s.
Meaghan Anderson Field Agronomist in Central Iowa
Meaghan Anderson is a field agronomist in central Iowa and an extension field specialist at Iowa State University Extension and Outreach. Educational programming is available for farmers, agribusinesses, pesticide applicators, certified crop advisors, and other individuals interested in...