Practical
Plants

Datura quercifolia

Oak Leaf Datura

an annual member of the Datura genus in the family Solanaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Genus
Datura
Life cycle
annual
Height
1.5 m
Flower type
hermaphrodite

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small doses[3].

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - ground up and mixed with clay[2] ( the clay probably has a neutralizing effect on the toxins). A very toxic plant, its use cannot be recommended. The fruit is about 7cm long and 6cm wide[3]. A stupefying beverage is made from the leaves and roots[2].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Fruit

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The whole plant is narcotic[3]. It has been used in the past to deaden pain, treat insomnia etc, but any use of this plant should only be carried out under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since the difference between the medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small.

Product or use
Narcotic

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - Arizona to Mexico.
Habitat
Roadsides, 1200 - 1800 metres in Arizona.
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 8+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy
Soil pH
neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Sow the seed in individual pots in early spring in a greenhouse[3]. Put 3 or 4 seeds in each pot and thin if necessary to the best plant. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Especially in areas with hot summers, it is worthwhile trying a sowing outdoors in situ in mid to late spring.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a rich light sandy soil[1] and an open sunny position[3]. Grows best in a fertile calcareous soil[3]. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[3]. This species is extremely susceptible to the various viruses that afflict the potato family (Solanaceae), it can act as a centre of infection so should not be grown near potatoes or tomatoes[3]. Closely related to D. stramonium[3].

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩1↩2

  3. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9

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