Datura is a genus of nine species of poisonous vespertine flowering plants belonging to

the family Solanaceae. They are known as angel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that
name with the closely related genus Brugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They
are also sometimes called moonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise
and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization
throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within the
Americas and North Africa, however, is most likely restricted to the United States and
Mexico in North America, and Tunisia in Africa, where the highest species diversity
occurs.
All species of Datura are poisonous, especially their seeds and flowers.
Some South American plants formerly thought of as Datura are now treated as belonging
to the distinct genus Brugmansia[1] (Brugmansia differs from Datura in that it is woody,
making shrubs or small trees, and it has pendulous flowers, rather than erect ones). Other
related genera include Hyoscyamus and Atropa.

Contents

1 Etymology
2 Description
3 Species and cultivars
o 3.1 Past classified species
4 Cultivation
5 Toxicity
o 5.1 Effects of ingestion
o 5.2 Treatment
6 Gallery
7 See also
8 References
9 Further reading
10 External links

Etymology
The Neo-Latin name Datura is taken from Hindi dhatra 'jimson weed',[2]
ultimately from Sanskrit dhattra 'white thorn-apple'.[3]

Description
Datura species are herbaceous, leafy annuals and short-lived perennials which can reach
up to 2 m in height. The leaves are alternate, 1020 cm long and 518 cm broad, with a
lobed or toothed margin. The flowers are erect or spreading (not pendulous like those of
Brugmansia), trumpet-shaped, 520 cm long and 412 cm broad at the mouth; colors

vary from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. The fruit is a spiny capsule 410 cm
long and 26 cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerous seeds. The seeds
disperse freely over pastures, fields and even wasteland locations.
Datura belongs to the classic "witches' weeds", along with deadly nightshade, henbane,
and mandrake. Most parts of the plants are toxic, and datura has a long history of use for
causing delirious states and death. It was well known as an essential ingredient of potions
and witches' brews.[4]
The word datura comes from the sanskrit dhatr ("thorn apple"); In Sanskrit it is referred
as "Kanak" and "Unmatt" in the ancient scriptures of Indian Ayurveda by sage Sushrut
and Charaka. Record of this name in English dates back to 1662.[5] Nathaniel Hawthorne
refers to one type in The Scarlet Letter as apple-Peru. In Mexico, its common name is
toloache.
In India it has been referred and attributed to as "Poisonous" and aphrodisiac. In little
measures it was used in Ayurveda as a medicine from the ancient times. It is used in
rituals and prayers to Shiva.
The larvae of some Lepidoptera (butterfly and moth) species, including Hypercompe
indecisa, eat some Datura species.

Species and cultivars

It is difficult to classify Datura as to its species, and it often happens that the descriptions
of new species are accepted prematurely. Later, these "new species" are found to be
simply varieties that have evolved due to conditions at a specific location. They usually
disappear in a few years. Contributing to the confusion is the fact that various species,
such as D. wrightii and D. inoxia, are very similar in appearance, and the variation within
a species can be extreme. For example, Datura species can change size of plant, leaf, and
flowers, all depending on location. The same species, when growing in a half-shady,
damp location can develop into a flowering bush half as tall as an adult human of average
height, but when growing in a very dry location, will only grow into a thin plant not
much more than ankle-high, with tiny flowers and a few miniature leaves.[4]
Today, experts classify only nine species of Datura:[4]

D. ceratocaula Jacq. torna loco

D. discolor Bernh. desert thorn-apple
D. ferox L. long-spined thorn-apple
D. inoxia Mill. thorn-apple, downy thorn-apple, Indian-apple, moonflower,
sacred datura, toloatzin, toloache
D. leichhardtii F.Muell. ex Benth. (syn. D. pruinosa) Leichhardt's datura
D. metel L. devil's trumpet[4]
D. quercifolia Kunth oak-leaf thorn-apple
D. stramonium L. (syn. D. inermis) jimsonweed, thorn-apple

D. wrightii Regel sacred datura, sacred thorn-apple

American Brugmansia and Datura Society, Inc. (ABADS) is designated in the 2004
edition of the International Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plants as the official
International Cultivar Registration Authority for Datura. This role was delegated to
ABADS by the International Society for Horticultural Science in 2002.

Past classified species

D. bernhardii
D. kymatocarpa
D. lanosa
D. reburra
D. suaveolens

Cultivation

Fruit

D. inoxia with ripe, split-open fruit

Datura species are usually planted annually from the seed produced in the spiny pods,
but with care, plants can be overwintered. Most species are suited to being planted
outside or in containers. As a rule, they need warm, sunny places and soil that will keep

their roots dry. When grown outdoors in good locations, the plants tend to reseed
themselves and may become invasive. In containers, they should have porous, aerated
potting soil with adequate drainage. The plants are susceptible to fungi in the root area, so
organic enrichment such as compost and manure should be avoided.[4]

Toxicity
All Datura plants contain tropane alkaloids such as scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and
atropine, primarily in their seeds and flowers. Because of the presence of these
substances, Datura has been used for centuries in some cultures as a poison.[4][6] There
can be a 5:1 toxin variation between plants, and a given plant's toxicity depends on its
age, where it is growing, and the local weather conditions. This variation makes Datura
exceptionally hazardous as a drug.
In traditional cultures, a great deal of experience with and detailed knowledge of Datura
was critical to minimize harm.[4] Many tragic incidents result from modern users
ingesting Datura. For example, in the 1990s and 2000s, the United States media
contained stories of adolescents and young adults dying or becoming seriously ill from
intentionally ingesting Datura.[7][8] There are also several reports in the medical literature
of deaths from D. stramonium and D. ferox intoxication.[9][10][11] Children are especially
vulnerable to atropine poisoning, and their prognosis is likely to be death.[12][13]
Datura toxins may be ingested accidentally by consumption of honey produced by
several wasp species, including Brachygastra lecheguana, during the Datura blooming
season. It appears that these semi-domesticated honey wasps collect Datura nectar for
honey production which can lead to poisoning.[14]
In some parts of Europe and India, Datura has been a popular poison for suicide and
murder. From 1950 to 1965, the State Chemical Laboratories in Agra, India, investigated
2,778 deaths caused by ingesting Datura.[4][15]
The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported accidental poisoning
resulting in hospitalization for a family of six who inadvertently ingested Datura used as
an ingredient in stew.[16]
In some places, it is prohibited to buy, sell, or cultivate Datura plants.[4][15]

Effects of ingestion
Due to the potent combination of anticholinergic substances it contains, Datura
intoxication typically produces effects similar to that of an anticholinergic delirium
(usually involving a complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy);
hyperthermia; tachycardia; bizarre, and possibly violent behavior; and severe mydriasis
(dilated pupils) with resultant painful photophobia that can last several days. Pronounced
amnesia is another commonly reported effect.[17]

No other substance has received as many severely negative recreational experience

reports as has Datura. The overwhelming majority of those who describe their use of
Datura find their experiences extremely unpleasant both mentally and often physically
dangerous.[17]

Treatment
Due to their agitated behavior and confused mental state, victims of Datura poisoning are
typically hospitalized. Stomach pumping and the administration of activated charcoal can
be used to reduce the stomach's absorption of the ingested material. The drug
physostigmine is used to reverse the effect of the poisons. Benzodiazepines can be given
to curb the patient's agitation, and supportive care with oxygen, hydration, and
symptomatic treatment is often provided. Observation of the patient is indicated until the
symptoms resolve, usually from 2436 hours after ingestion of the Datura.[15][18]

Gallery

Datura flower on the plant (lateral view) near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Datura flower on the plant (top view) near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India

Datura in bloom. Taken on Sullivan Road, Twentynine Palms, CA 28July2014

See also

Donnatal, a pharmaceutical containing the active alkaloids in Belladonna, a plant

similar to Datura: scopolamine, hyoscyamine, and atropine, as a drug

References
1.

Lester, R. N.; Nee, M.; Estrada, N. (1991). Hawkes, J. G., ed. Solanaceae
III Taxonomy, Chemistry, Evolution (Proceedings of Third International
Conference on Solanaceae). Kew: Royal Botanic Gardens. pp. 197210. ISBN 0947643-31-1.
2.
American Heritage Dictionary: datura
3.
Monier Monier-Williams, A Sanskrit-English Dictionary.
4.
Preissel, U.; Preissel, H.-G. (2002). Brugmansia and Datura: Angel's
Trumpets and Thorn Apples. Buffalo, NY: Firefly Books. pp. 106129. ISBN 155209-598-3.
5.
the Oxford English Dictionary or OED
6.
Adams, J. D. Jr.; Garcia, C. (2005). "Spirit, Mind and Body in Chumash
Healing". Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine 2 (4): 459
463. doi:10.1093/ecam/neh130. PMC 1297503. PMID 16322802.
7.
Goetz, R.; Siegel, E.; Scaglione, J.; Belson, M.; Patel, M. (2003).
"Suspected Moonflower Intoxication -- Ohio, 2002". MMWR Morbidity and
Mortality Weekly Report (CDC) 52 (33): 788791. PMID 12931077.
8.
Leinwand, D. (2006-11-01). USA TODAY
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2006-11-01-jimson_x.htm. Retrieved
2009-02-15. Missing or empty |title= (help)
9.
Michalodimitrakis, M.; Koutselinis, A. (1984). "Discussion of "Datura
stramonium: A fatal poisoning"". Journal of Forensic Sciences 29 (4): 961962.
PMID 6502123.
10.
Boumba, V. A.; Mitselou, A.; Vougiouklakis, T. (2004). "Fatal poisoning
from ingestion of Datura stramonium seeds". Veterinary and Human Toxicology
46 (2): 8182. PMID 15080209.
11.
Steenkamp, P. A.; Harding, N. M.; Van Heerden, F. R.; Van Wyk, B.-E.
(2004). "Fatal Datura poisoning: Identification of atropine and scopolamine by

high performance liquid chromatography / photodiode array / mass spectrometry".

Forensic Science International 145 (1): 3139.
doi:10.1016/j.forsciint.2004.03.011. PMID 15374592.
12.
Taha, S. A.; Mahdi, A. H. (1984). "Datura intoxication in Riyadh".
Transactions of the Royal Society of Tropical Medicine and Hygiene 78 (1): 134
135. doi:10.1016/0035-9203(84)90196-2. PMID 6710568.
13.
Djibo, A.; Bouzou, S. B. (2000). "[Acute intoxication with "sobi-lobi"
(Datura). Four cases in Niger]". Bulletin de la Socit de Pathologie Exotique (in
French) 93 (4): 294297. PMID 11204734.
14.
Bequaert, J.Q. (1932). The Nearctic social wasps of the subfamily
polybiinae (Hymenoptera; Vespidae)". Entomologica Americana. 13(3):87-150.
15.
Andrews, Dale (2013-02-28). "Daturas". Crime Poisons. Washington:
SleuthSayers. Retrieved 4 March 2013.
16.
Bontoyan, W.; et al. (2010-02-05). "Jimsonweed Poisoning Associated
with a Homemade Stew Maryland, 2008" (pdf). Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 59 (4): 102103.
Retrieved 2010-02-11.
17.
Freye, E. (2010). "Toxicity of Datura Stramonium". Pharmacology and
Abuse of Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Related Designer Drugs.
Netherlands: Springer. pp. 217218. doi:10.1007/978-90-481-2448-0_34.
ISBN 978-90-481-2447-3.
18.
Bliss, M. (2001). "Datura Plant Poisoning" (pdf). Clinical Toxicology
Review 23 (6).

Further reading

Rtsch, C. (2005) [1998]. The Encyclopedia of Psychoactive Plants. Rochester,

VT: Park Street Press. ISBN 978-0-89281-978-2.
Bliss, M. (2001). "Datura Plant Poisoning" (pdf). Clinical Toxicology Review 23
(6).
Tropane Alkaloid Poisoning on eMedicine
Roblot, F; Montaz, L; Delcoustal, M; Gaboriau, E; Chavagnat, JJ; Morichaud, G;
Pourrat, O; Scepi, M; Patte, D (1995). "[Datura stramonium poisoning: the
diagnosis is clinical, treatment is symptomatic].". La Revue de medecine interne /
fondee ... par la Societe nationale francaise de medecine interne (in French) 16
(3): 18790. doi:10.1016/0248-8663(96)80689-8. PMID 7740228.
Krenzelok, Edward P. (February 2010). "Aspects of poisoning and treatment".
Clinical Toxicology 48 (2): 104110. doi:10.3109/15563651003630672.
PMID 20229618.