At first the couple ignored the plant, but after becoming curious about its origins, Mrs Bagshaw decided to search the internet and was shocked with what she discovered. She found the “pretty looking plant” was in fact Datura stramonium, a thorn apple also known as devil’s trumpet, devil’s weed or stink weed. It bears spiky fruit, poisonous flowers and seeds that can cause hallucinations, hypothermia and painful photophobia that can last several days.
Mrs Bagshaw said: "I was shocked when I found out this pretty plant growing in the back garden was in fact a drug killing teenagers in America. It seems to be a very international drug because they use it in China and also in Mexico to relive labour pains but apparently it is very rare to found it in England. I want to throw it away but apparently if the seeds spill I could have a whole drug farm on my hands and so I want to make sure I know how to do it properly.”
Jill Turner, a plant expert at Kew Gardens said she thought the plant was spread because bird-feed manufacturers were adding its seeds to their mix and said the rising number of photographs sent in for identification suggested it was becoming widespread. She said it should be removed carefully using gloves and burned thoroughly. To stop it spreading, the seed heads should be removed before they dry out and burst.
7 comments:
I found some of these, a couple of years ago, they're an attractive plant, so, not knowing what it was, I collected the seedpods, and have an envelope full of seeds.
If I planted them in the local park, labelled "Danger, Hallucinogenic and Toxic", I'd bet I could rid society of a few worthless tossers.
They are not so rare, I've seen them now in several places.
The problem is that even handling the plant can be hazardous. The scent, the sap, leaves, stems, flowers, seeds, all are dangerous, because the alkaloids can be absorbed through the skin as well as by ingestion.
If you read accounts of people who've tried it, well, the consensus is that it's nasty.
Look up Jimson weed.
There's no safe dose.
Heh heh!
Why not take the seeds down the canal and try selling them to all the would-be kitten drowners. :)
Only joking. It sounds like a very dangerous plant.
We grow several varieties of Datura in our Sonoran Desert garden. Yes, they can be poisonous. Many other plants are poisonous as well. Just be careful and keep them away from pets and children!
Our double purple Datura is a stunner. You can see it here (scroll down a bit) - http://www.gardeningonthemoon.com/2011/06/23/desert-bloom-june-23-2011/
Goof luck with your plant@
We have a couple of large Datura that just bloomed in our yard here in Tucson. Just a little care and commaon sense should be used. They grow wild out here in the Sonoran Desert.
Datura is not banned in the US. In fact, several seed companies sell the seeds and plants. I've even seen it used as a landscape plant on a local college campus. We grew up knowing that Datura, like oleander, was deadly poison.
I'm surprised people would take a drug to relive their labor pains, which is what it says here
Maikiua (you Gringos know it like Datura o Brugmansia) is a holy plant. Instead of abolishing it, you should better learn by her, instead of being such ignorant, you can be healed if you open your mind and let its holy spirit Maikiua guide you through your soul. But what can I except of Gringo people who prefer to sacrifice their sons and daughters by trafic accidents instead of showing them the values of nature spirits? Perhaps one day in a distant future you may imagine what I`m talking about.
Post a Comment