We've had a few queries here from people puzzled by this strange plant
suddenly appearing apparently from nowhere. An article in today's Mail on
Sunday says the theory is that it's in birdseeds and that the warmer summers
and milder winters we've been having have led to its proliferation in this
country. The article also stresses its poisonous and hallucinogenic
properties. I found this rather interesting, if scary, piece about it:
"Thornapple or Datura stramomium is also known as Jimson weed
(a corruption of* Jamestown weed), stinkweed and mad apple. It*
has a foul smell and usually found wild in wasteland. It belongs to*
the nightshade (solanaceae) family and like all its members is*
extremely poisonous and can cause death. The troops of Marc*
Antony ate this plant when retreating from Parthia in 38AD leading*
to delirium, stupor and death. The name Jamestown weed came*
from the fact that it was in Jamestown County of Virginia that the*
plant was first found in North America. Daturine an alkaloid*
extracted from this plant is a combination of hyoscyamine and*
atropine. The extract cause mydriasis and cycloplegia. Smoking*
of the leaves can relieve asthma because of its anticholinergic*
effect."
http://www.mrcophth.com/plants/thornapple.html
--
Sacha
www.hillhousenursery.co.uk
South Devon
http://www.discoverdartmoor.co.uk/