Datura stramonium L.

  • Authority

    Acevedo-Rodríguez, Pedro & collaborators. 1996. Flora of St. John, U.S. Virgin Islands. Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 78: 1-581.

  • Family

    Solanaceae

  • Scientific Name

    Datura stramonium L.

  • Description

    Species Description - Erect subshrub 0.5-1 m tall, with strong fetid odor; branching appearing pseudodichotomous; branches herbaceous, nearly cylindrical, glabrous or puberulent when young. Leaf blades 7.5-17 x 4-13 cm, with ovate to lanceolate outline, chartaceous puberulent, becoming glabrous, the apex long-acuminate, the base cuneate to rounded, sometimes unequal, the margins lobed to deeply toothed, the teeth irregular, acuminate; petioles 1.5-5 cm long, puberulent. Flowers erect, short-lived. Calyx green, tubular, 5-angled, keeled at angles, 3-5 cm long; corolla white, funnel shaped, the limb obtusely 5-angled with long-acuminate lobes, the tube 7-10 cm long, narrowed toward base; stamens included. Capsule erect, with ovoid outline, 3-4 cm long, densely covered with sharp spines to 1.2 cm long, opening along 4 longitudinal valves, from top to bottom, the reflexed calyx base irregularly lobed. Seeds numerous, black, 3-4 mm long.

  • Discussion

    Common names: deadly nightshade, jimsonweed, stinking bush, thorn apple.

  • Distribution

    An occasional herb of open disturbed areas. Susannaberg (A4114). Also on St. Croix, St. Thomas, Tortola, and Virgin Gorda; native to Mexico but widespread as a weed throughout the world.

    Saint John Virgin Islands of the United States South America| México Mexico North America| Virgin Gorda Virgin Islands South America| Tortola Virgin Islands South America| Saint Thomas Virgin Islands of the United States South America|