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Datura metel - L.

Thorn Apple, Angel's Trumpet,

Common Name Hindu Datura, Horn of Plenty,
Downy Thorn Apple

Family Solanaceae

Synonyms D. alba. Nees. D. fastuosa. L.

All members of this

Known Hazards genus contain narcotics and are
very poisonous, even in small
doses[147, 200].

Waste places, river sands etc in

Habitats sunny positions[147, 192]

E. Asia - S. China, India.

Range Naturalized in the Mediterranean.

Edibility Rating http://c ommons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Da

tura_metel_Blanc o1.35.jpg

Medicinal Rating

Care

Summary
Bloom Color: White. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Early fall, Late
summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.

Physical Characteristics

Datura metel is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft) at a medium rate.

It is hardy to zone (UK) 9 and is frost tender. It is in flower from Jun to July. The
flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are
pollinated by Insects.

USDA hardiness zone : 8-11

Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained
soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (alkaline) soils and can grow in very alkaline
soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Habitats
Cultivated Beds;

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Edible Uses
Edible Parts:
Edible Uses: Drink.

The leaves and roots are bruised, mixed with water and left to stand for several hours. The liquid is then drawn off and drunk. This is a highly narcotic drink, producing
a stupefying effect that it is not easy to remove[2]. Caution is advised, see the notes above on toxicity[K].

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsib ility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional b efore using a plant
medicinally.

Anaesthetic; Anodyne; Antiasthmatic; Antispasmodic; Antitussive; Hallucinogenic; Hypnotic; Mydriatic.

The whole plant, but especially the leaves and seed, is anaesthetic, anodyne, antiasthmatic, antispasmodic, antitussive, bronchodilator, hallucinogenic, hypnotic and
mydriatic[147, 192, 218]. It has a wide range of applications in India, including in the treatment of epilepsy, hysteria, insanity, heart diseases, fever with catarrh,
diarrhoea, skin diseases etc[192, 240]. A poultice of the crushed leaves is used to relieve pain[283]. In China, the plant is used in the treatment of asthma[218]. In
Vietnam, the dried flowers and leaves are cut into small chips and used in antiasthmatic cigarettes[283]. Great caution is advised in the use of this plant since excess
doses cause hallucinations, severe intoxication and death. The toxic dose is very close to the medicinal dose so this plant should only be used under the guidance of
a qualified practitioner. See also the notes above on toxicity. The plant contains the alkaloids hyoscyamine, hyoscine and atropine[240]. Atropine dilates the pupils
and is used in eye surgery[222]. Total alkaloid content of the leaves is 0.426%, which is mainly atropine[240]. The seeds contain 0.426% alkaloids, which is mainly
hyoscyamine[240]. The roots contain 0.35% hyoscyamine[240]. An extract of the flowers is used as an anaesthetic - 3 - 5g applied orally produces a general
anaesthesia within 5 minutes and lasting 5 - 6 hours[218].

Other Uses
None known

Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border, Container, Foundation, Specimen. Prefers a rich light sandy soil and an open sunny position[200]. Grows best in a fertile calcareous
soil[200]. 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[200]. There are a number of named varieties selected for their ornamental value[200]. The flowers have an exotic fragrance, though
the bruised leaves have an unpleasant smell[245]. This species is closely related to D. innoxia[200]. Special Features:Not North American native, Naturalizing, All or
parts of this plant are poisonous, Fragrant flowers.

Propagation
Sow the seed in individual pots in early spring in a greenhouse[200]. 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 15c. 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.

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Expert comment

Author
L.

Botanical References
200

Links / References

[K] Ken Fern Notes from observations, tasting etc at Plants For A Future and on field trips.

[2]Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World.

Lots of entries, quite a lot of information in most entries and references.
[147]? A Barefoot Doctors Manual.
A very readable herbal from China, combining some modern methods with traditional chinese methods.
[192]Emboden. W. Narcotic Plants
A lot of details about the history, chemistry and use of narcotic plants, including hallucinogens, stimulants, inebriants and hypnotics.
[200]Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992.
Excellent and very comprehensive, though it contains a number of silly mistakes. Readable yet also very detailed.
[218]Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China
Details of over 1,200 medicinal plants of China and brief details of their uses. Often includes an analysis, or at least a list of constituents. Heavy going if you are
not into the subject.
[222]Foster. S. & Duke. J. A. A Field Guide to Medicinal Plants. Eastern and Central N. America.
A concise book dealing with almost 500 species. A line drawing of each plant is included plus colour photographs of about 100 species. Very good as a field
guide, it only gives brief details about the plants medicinal properties.
[240]Chopra. R. N., Nayar. S. L. and Chopra. I. C. Glossary of Indian Medicinal Plants (Including the Supplement).
Very terse details of medicinal uses of plants with a wide range of references and details of research into the plants chemistry. Not for the casual reader.

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[245]Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World.
An excellent, comprehensive book on scented plants giving a few other plant uses and brief cultivation details. There are no illustrations.
[283]Nguyen Van Dan & Doan Thi Nhu Medicinal Plants in Vietnam
An excellent book, giving information on over 200 plants, their medicinal compounds and applications.

Readers comment

Elizabeth H.
Candace Mon Sep 17 2007
Hello! I have 2 of these plants volunteering vigorously near my garden and since they have not been watered for about 5 months and are flowering very happily I
am wondering if anyone knows if they have a permaculture use....some way that they help the garden or help the soil since they are NO work at all here!

Elizabeth H.
Dr Arshad Javaid Sun Aug 3 2008
Very useful information are given in this article. Dr Arshad Javaid PAKISTAN

Elizabeth H.
rosamond h Lonwes Mon Oct 26 2009
I have a datura where the blooms (white) and upright and very fragrant.....is this dat/metel?

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