This is an archived copy of this article, recovered after a server failure in January 2022.

Some links may be broken, and editing is disabled. We are working to bring back full functionality.

Datura stramonium
  • Thorn Apple

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

248px
Niche
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    The ecosystem niches for this plant are unknown. Do you know them? Click the edit button to add them!
Functions
  • None
    None
    There are no functions defined for this plant. Do you know of some? Click the edit button to add them!
Light
  • Full sun
    Full sun
    The amount of sun exposure that a plant prefers in ideal conditions.
    Key
  • no shade
    No shade
    The amount of shade a plant will tolerate without adverse health affects.
    Key
Water
  • Water Requirementsmoderate
    Moderate
    The amount of water a plant needs for healthy growth, relative to other plants.
    Key
Soil
  • neutral,alkaline
    Neutral to Alkaline
    The PH range (acidity or alkilinity) of the growth medium ideal for healthy nutrient absorbtion.
    Key
  • Sandy to Loamy
    The soil texture this plant prefers for optimal growth.
    Key
Cold & Heat
  • 7
    Zone 7
    The USDA Hardiness scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the minimum temperature a plant can survive.
    Key
    0< -53.9ºC< -65ºF
    1-51.1ºC-60ºF
    2-45.6ºC-50F
    3-40ºC-40ºF
    4-34.4ºC-30ºF
    5-28.9ºC-20ºF
    6-23.3ºC-10ºF
    7-17.8ºC0ºF
    8-12.2C10ºF
    9-6.7ºC20ºF
    10-1.1ºC30ºF
    114.4ºC40ºF
    12> 10ºC> 5ºF
  • ?
    Unknown
    The AHS Heat scale assigns plants a number from 1 to 12 representing the number of days per year a plant requires a temperature exceeding 30ºC (86ºF).
    Key
    11
    21 - 7
    38 - 14
    415 - 30
    531 - 45
    646 - 60
    761 - 90
    891 - 120
    9121 - 150
    10151 - 180
    11181 - 210
    12181 - 210
Datura stramonium has 0 material uses listed
Datura stramonium has 0 medicinal uses listed

Uses

Toxic parts

All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small doses[1].

Edible uses

There are no edible uses listed for Datura stramonium.

Material uses

The growing plant is said to protect neighbouring plants from insects[2][3]. The juice of the fruits is applied to the scalp to cure dandruff and falling hair[4].

Unknown part

Hair care
Repellent

Medicinal uses(Warning!)

The thornapple is a bitter narcotic plant that relieves pain and encourages healing[5]. It has a long history of use as a herbal medicine, though it is very poisonous and should be used with extreme caution.

The leaves, flowering tops and seeds are anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, hallucinogenic, hypnotic, mydriatic and narcotic[6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][5][14]. The seeds are the most active medicinally[7]. The plant is used internally in the treatment of asthma and Parkinson's disease, excess causes giddiness, dry mouth, hallucinations and coma[5]. Externally, it is used as a poultice or wash in the treatment of fistulas, abscesses wounds and severe neuralgia[5][15]. The use of this plant is subject to legal restrictions in some countries[5]. It should be used with extreme caution and only under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since all parts of the plant are very poisonous and the difference between a medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small[11][16][5]. The leaves should be harvested when the plant is in full flower, they are then dried for later use[7]. The leaves can be used as a very powerful mind-altering drug, they contain hyoscyamine and atropine[16]. There are also traces of scopolamine, a potent cholinergic-blocking hallucinogen, which has been used to calm schizoid patients[16]. Atropine dilates the pupils and is used in eye surgery[17]. The leaves have been smoked as an antispasmodic in the treatment for asthma, though this practice is extremely dangerous[16][17]. The seeds are used in Tibetan medicine, they are said to have a bitter and acrid taste with a cooling and very poisonous potency[18]. Analgesic, anthelmintic and anti-inflammatory, they are used in the treatment of stomach and intestinal pain due to worm infestation, toothache and fever from inflammations[18].

The juice of the fruit is applied to the scalp to treat dandruff[4].

Unknown part

Anodyne
Anthelmintic
Antiasthmatic
Antidandruff
Antiinflammatory
Antispasmodic
Hallucinogenic
Hypnotic
Mydriatic
Narcotic

Ecology

Ecosystem niche/layer

Ecological Functions

Nothing listed.

Forage

Nothing listed.

Shelter

Nothing listed.

Propagation

Sow the seed in individual pots in early spring in a greenhouse[1]. 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.

Practical Plants is currently lacking information on propagation instructions of Datura stramonium. Help us fill in the blanks! Edit this page to add your knowledge.



Cultivation

Succeeds in most moderately good soils but prefers a rich light sandy soil or a calcareous loam, and an open sunny position[6][7][1].

Plants often self-sow when well sited[6]. The thornapple is cultivated commercially as a medicinal plant[19]. It can become a weed in suitable conditions and is subject to statutory control in some countries[5]. 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[1]. Grows well with pumpkins[3].

The whole plant gives off a nauseating stench[20].

Crops

Problems, pests & diseases

Associations & Interactions

There are no interactions listed for Datura stramonium. Do you know of an interaction that should be listed here? edit this page to add it.

Polycultures & Guilds

There are no polycultures listed which include Datura stramonium.

Descendants

Cultivars

Varieties

None listed.

Subspecies

None listed.

Full Data

This table shows all the data stored for this plant.

Taxonomy
Binomial name
Datura stramonium
Genus
Datura
Family
Solanaceae
Imported References
Edible uses
Medicinal uses
[5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17][18][4]
Material uses & Functions
[2][3][4]
Botanic
[21]
Propagation
Cultivation
Environment
Cultivation
Uses
Edible uses
None listed.
Material uses
None listed.
Medicinal uses
None listed.
Functions & Nature
Functions
Provides forage for
Provides shelter for
Environment
Hardiness Zone
7
Heat Zone
?
Water
moderate
Sun
full sun
Shade
no shade
Soil PH
neutral, alkaline
Soil Texture
sandy, loamy
Soil Water Retention
well drained
Environmental Tolerances
    Ecosystems
    Native Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Adapted Climate Zones
    None listed.
    Native Geographical Range
    None listed.
    Native Environment
    None listed.
    Ecosystem Niche
    None listed.
    Root Zone Tendancy
    None listed.
    Life
    Deciduous or Evergreen
    ?
    Herbaceous or Woody
    ?
    Life Cycle
    annual
    Growth Rate
    ?
    Mature Size
    1.5 x 1 meters
    Fertility
    ?
    Pollinators
    Moths
    Flower Colour
    ?
    Flower Type
    hermaphrodite

    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.


    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki., "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki. "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.






    References

    1. ? 1.01.11.21.3 Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press ISBN 0-333-47494-5 (1992-00-00)
    2. ? 2.02.1 Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins (1979-00-00)
    3. ? 3.03.13.2 Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. ISBN 0-88266-064-0 (1978-00-00)
    4. ? 4.04.14.24.3 Medicinal Plants of Nepal Dept. of Medicinal Plants. Nepal. (1993-00-00)
    5. ? 5.05.15.25.35.45.55.65.7 Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. ISBN 0-7513-020-31 (1995-00-00)
    6. ? 6.06.16.26.3 F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press (1951-00-00)
    7. ? 7.07.17.27.37.4 Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin ISBN 0-14-046-440-9 (1984-00-00)
    8. ? 8.08.1 Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald ISBN 0-356-10541-5 (1984-00-00)
    9. ? 9.09.1 Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-37216-2 (1981-00-00)
    10. ? 10.010.1 Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn ISBN 0-600-33545-3 (1975-00-00)
    11. ? 11.011.111.2 Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books ISBN 0-553-23827-2 (1983-00-00)
    12. ? 12.012.1 Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim (1959-00-00)
    13. ? 13.013.1 Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism. ()
    14. ? 14.014.1 Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement). Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, New Delhi. (1986-00-00)
    15. ? 15.015.1 Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. ISBN 0-88192-453-9 (1998-00-00)
    16. ? 16.016.116.216.316.4 Weiner. M. A. Earth Medicine, Earth Food. Ballantine Books ISBN 0-449-90589-6 (1980-00-00)
    17. ? 17.017.117.2 Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America. Houghton Mifflin Co. ISBN 0395467225 (1990-00-00)
    18. ? 18.018.118.2 Tsarong. Tsewang. J. Tibetan Medicinal Plants Tibetan Medical Publications, India ISBN 81-900489-0-2 (1994-00-00)
    19. ? Schery. R. W. Plants for Man. ()
    20. ? Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. ISBN 0-7090-5440-8 (1994-00-00)
    21. ? Livingstone. B. Flora of Canada National Museums of Canada ISBN 0-660-00025-3 (1978-00-00)

    Cite error: <ref> tag with name "PFAFimport-17" defined in <references> is not used in prior text.

    "image:Datura stramonium1FLCA.jpg|248px" cannot be used as a page name in this wiki.

    Retrieved from "http://practicalplants.org/w/index.php?title=Datura_stramonium&oldid=76806"
    Facts about "Datura stramonium"RDF feed
    Article is incompleteYes +
    Article requires citationsNo +
    Article requires cleanupYes +
    Belongs to familySolanaceae +
    Belongs to genusDatura +
    Has binomial nameDatura stramonium +
    Has common nameThorn Apple +
    Has drought toleranceIntolerant +
    Has fertility typeMoths +
    Has flowers of typeHermaphrodite +
    Has hardiness zone7 +
    Has imageDatura stramonium1FLCA.jpg +
    Has lifecycle typeAnnual +
    Has material partUnknown part +
    Has material useHair care + and Repellent +
    Has mature height1.5 +
    Has mature width1 +
    Has medicinal partUnknown part +
    Has medicinal useAnodyne +, Anthelmintic +, Antiasthmatic +, Antidandruff +, Antiinflammatory +, Antispasmodic +, Hallucinogenic +, Hypnotic +, Mydriatic + and Narcotic +
    Has primary imageDatura stramonium1FLCA.jpg +
    Has search namedatura stramonium + and thorn apple +
    Has shade toleranceNo shade +
    Has soil ph preferenceNeutral + and Alkaline +
    Has soil texture preferenceSandy + and Loamy +
    Has soil water retention preferenceWell drained +
    Has sun preferenceFull sun +
    Has taxonomic rankSpecies +
    Has taxonomy nameDatura stramonium +
    Has water requirementsmoderate +
    Is taxonomy typeSpecies +
    PFAF cultivation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF edible use notes migratedYes +
    PFAF material use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF medicinal use notes migratedNo +
    PFAF propagation notes migratedNo +
    PFAF toxicity notes migratedNo +
    Tolerates nutritionally poor soilNo +
    Uses mature size measurement unitMeters +
    Has subobjectThis property is a special property in this wiki.Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium +, Datura stramonium + and Datura stramonium +