Classification
Class
Magnoliopsida Brongn.
Order
Solanales Juss. ex Bercht. & J.Presl
Family
Solanaceae
Genus
Datura L.
 Nomenclature
Scientific Name:
Datura stramonium L., Sp. Pl. 179 (1753)
Synonymy:
  • = Datura tatula L. (1762)
  • ≡ Datura stramonium var. tatula (L.) Torr. (1824)
Vernacular Name(s):
Common thornapple; Jimsons weed; purple thornapple; Thornapple
 Description

Foetid annual herb to c. 1 m tall, puberulent, especially when young. Stems usually green or rarely purple. Petiole to c. 7 cm long. Lamina 5–30–(40) × 3–20–(25) cm, narrow- to broad-ovate, lobed; veins remaining puberulent, otherwise lamina becoming glabrous; apex of lobes acute or short-acuminate. Calyx 4–5 cm long, ribbed, reflexing at fruiting; teeth 5–8 mm long, unequal. Corolla 6–8–(9.5) cm long (excluding lobes), usually white or rarely light purple, funnelform; lobes 4–8 mm long, aristate. Fr. 3–5 × 2–3 cm (excluding spines), ovoid, erect, largest towards base of cyme; spines numerous, to 1 cm long, slender, the largest concentrated in upper 1/2. Seeds 2–3 mm wide, reniform, eventually black, irregularly rugose.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

 Biostatus
Exotic
 Phenology

Flowering: Nov.–Apr.

 Bibliography
Biosecurity New Zealand 2012: Regional Pest Management Strategies Database. http://www.biosecurityperformance.maf.govt.nz/
Connor, H.E. 1977: The Poisonous Plants in New Zealand. Edition 2. Government Printer, Wellington.
Connor, H.E.; Fountain, J. 2009: Plants that Poison: A New Zealand Guide. Manaaki Whenua Press, Lincoln.
Linnaeus, C. 1753: Species Plantarum. Impensis Laurentii Salvii, Stockholm.
Stewart, J. 1971: Plants in New Zealand Poisonous to Man. New Zealand Department of Health, Wellington.