Thorn Apple
Datura stramonium
Also known as
Devil's Snare, Jimson Weed, Jamestown Weed, Common Thorn-Apple, False Castor-Oil, Mad Apple, Moonflower, Purple Thorn-Apple, Stinkwort, Devil's-Apple, Stramonium Jimsonweed
DATURA STRAMONIUM - GUIXERS - IB-615 by Isidre blanc (CC BY-SA 3.0)
Full Sun
Easy care
Moderate watering
Frost Hardy
8a
USDA zone
-12°C
Minimum temperature
Expected size
Height | Spread | |
|---|---|---|
1.2m | Max | 80cm |
50cm | Min | 20cm |
Flowering
spring
summer
autumn
winter
This plant has a mild fragrance
More images of Thorn Apple
Thorn Apple Overview
Selfseeding annual weed with poisounous seeds that lay dormant for many years. It will grow in disturbed soils and birds can spread the seeds where they fly. The amount of toxin varies from plant to plant, but most parts do contain alkaloids. It is sometimes used for the psychoactive effect, but overdose is lethal and hospitals have treated patients consuming the plant for photophobia and hyperthermia. Remove this one when spotted!
Common problems with Thorn Apple
Relative problem free
How to harvest Thorn Apple
Not usually harvested
How to propagate Thorn Apple
Seed
Selfseed quickly during spring.
Special features of Thorn Apple
Pioneer
Grows quickly in disturbed soils.
Other uses of Thorn Apple
Medicinal
Leaves are smoked in a pipe to help treat asthma in traditional medicine, but side effects and casualties often occur! Is was used by Chinese as anaesthesia during surgery and recorded to be used by healers from 1597!
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