The Deceptive Jimsom Weed: Evil in Disguise
This lovely white flower hides the plant’s dangers
Jimson weed ( Datura stramonium) blooms in the summer. It’s also known as “devils snare.” Here’s why. It’s part of the infamous nightshade family. Although its lovely trumpet-shaped flower has a scent some find attractive, all parts of the plant are poisonous. Even the flowers contain toxic atropine and scopolamine. Eating or smoking parts of the jimson weed can cause delirium or hallucinations.
The most toxic parts of the plant are its seeds which grow in spikey pods in late autumn and winter. I took the photo below in January.
You can see the pods beginning to split into their four chambers that will finally expel the seeds to form new plants. Look closely and you will see the black seeds in the cracks.
Jimson in Jamestown
Some authorities believe British colonists brought jimson weed with them to Jamestown in 1607. It was believed to…
