Datura (jimsonweed, moonflower datura)

About Datura (jimsonweed, moonflower datura)

Daturas are bushy plants with huge, upward-facing white or purple-tinged trumpet flowers that open at dusk, smell sweet and wilt by the next noon; big sphinx moths pollinate them (NC State, Wildflower Center). Sacred datura (D. wrightii) is native to the Southwest, from California to Texas, while USDA lists pricklyburr and jimsonweed as introduced, and jimsonweed is a widespread poisonous weed of gardens and fields. ALL parts of every datura are highly poisonous to people and animals. Don't confuse it with angel's trumpet (Brugmansia), a woody shrub whose flowers hang down, or with the moonflower vine (Ipomoea alba): the names 'moonflower' and 'angel's trumpet' get used for all three, so check the Latin name on the tag.

Sacred datura is a perennial from a tuberous root in zones 9-11 and is grown as an annual farther north (NC State); jimsonweed is a summer annual. Jimsonweed is a listed weed: Connecticut prohibits buying, selling, moving or growing it by statute.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

• Start seeds indoors: 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost
• Set out plants: up to 2 weeks after the last frost

Start seed indoors about 6-8 weeks before the last frost and set plants out after it (NC State, for garden datura, D. metel); in Texas the Wildflower Center starts sacred datura seed in January for 4-inch pots by April. Sacred datura freezes back, so spring planting is best. Wear gloves to handle seed and plants. No sourced count from sowing to first bloom.

Soil

Well-drained sandy or loamy soil, or even clay; it's drought tolerant once settled (NC State, Wildflower Center).

Any well-drained soil works, from sand to clay; it is drought tolerant and doesn't need rich soil (NC State, Wildflower Center).

Feeding

Don't let seed pods ripen where children, pets or livestock can reach them; cut off spent flowers instead (NC State, WVU).

Harvest

In most gardens it blooms from midsummer to frost, and from May to November in the Southwest; each flower opens in the evening and wilts the next day (NC State). Cut off spent flowers before the spiny seed pods form: that stops self-sown seedlings and keeps the most poisonous part, the seed, away from kids and pets (NC State, WVU).

Varieties (8)

NC State documents these garden forms of D. metel; the three species in this record are listed too so their differences (and jimsonweed's legal status) are clear. All are highly poisonous.

Pests to watch for

Tomato hornworm

In the kitchen

Safety: Every part is highly poisonous, especially the seeds (NC State: high severity). Tropane alkaloids (atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine) cause dilated pupils, hot, dry, flushed skin, fever, confusion, hallucinations, a racing heart, seizures and coma, and poisoning can be fatal; cooking doesn't make leaves safe (CDC, MedlinePlus, WVU). The sap can cause a rash, so wear gloves. If any part may have been eaten, call Poison Help at 1-800-222-1222 right away.

Pets: Not listed by the ASPCA. NC State lists datura as a danger to dogs, cats, horses and cattle, and the Wildflower Center says all parts are poisonous to people and animals.