Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium L.
Solanaceae (Nightshade Family)
▲ mature plant
▲ ▼ flowers
▲ fruit
Jimsonweed:
· Summer annual broadleaf weed with stout, purple-green branching stems
· Grows 1-5’ tall, with jagged triangular leaves; both stems & leaves have strong odor if bruised
· Flowers large, lavender to white, trumpet-shaped, opening more at night
· Seed capsule is large, with many spines—looks like small spiny “grenade”
· Plant was linked to witchcraft in Europe—if you had the weed growing in your yard, your were suspected to be involved with witchcraft
· Jimsonweed name came from “Jamestown weed”—it first appeared in U.S. with Jamestown settlers
· Seeds are deadly poisonous to eat
· Is common in many cultivated crops; can be found in pastures, non-crop areas
· Similar to velvetleaf in crop damage potential
· Similar species, sacred datura, toloache or moonvine:
o has larger, more hairy leaves
o hairy stems
o has larger flowers that open at night and are often quite fragrant
o fruit is similar
o usually not a weed problem, though