Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed, Datura wrightii

Jimsonweed goes by a number of other common names including Jamestown weed, sacred thorn-apple, datura, sacred datura, moonflower, angel trumpet, devil's trumpet, stink weed, mad apple, Indian-apple, and tolguacha. There are several species found in North America, and in Texas, but they are all ill-scented, annual or perennial herbs within the nightshade family. The trumpet-shaped, crepuscular blooming flowers, often white or purplish, are large and showy, appearing between April and October. The spherical spiny seedpods split into four parts when they are ripe.

Ripe seedpod of Jimsonweed.

The less common name Jamestown weed comes from the mass poisoning of soldiers in Jamestown, Virginia during the Rebellion of Bacon in 1676. A salad prepared with boiled jimsonweed caused the soldiers to be overcome with the hallucinogenic properties of the herb. According to a written account of the event, the soldiers were confined after their comedic actions for their safety, and returned to normal after eleven days had passed. While the account of the incident focuses on the good-natured humor caused by the hallucinogenic effects of jimsonweed, death is a very possible outcome.

The spiky seedpods split in four when the seeds are mature.

Toxicity results from three main tropane alkaloids: atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. All parts of the plant are poisonous and can result in a rapid pulse, dilated pupils, restlessness, muscular twitching, weak pulse, irregular breathing, convulsions, coma, and death. While toxic to humans and livestock, it should be noted that a number of moth species, including sphinx moths, use the plant for both as a source of nectar and as a food source during their larval stage.