Datura wrightii Regel

Angel’s trumpet, sacred thorn-apple, sacred datura, western jimson weed, belladonna, toloache, Jimsonweed, thorn-apple, angel trumpet

Although native to Mexico and the southwestern United States, angel’s trumpet is found through much of North America now.

Plants: Angel’s trumpet grows in bushes 2–4′ (60–121 cm) high, with grayish-green stems coated with fine hairs.

Leaves: Alternate, 6 ⨉ 4″ (15 ⨉ 10 cm), with smooth margins. The leaves have the unusual property that they are not symmetric at the base— one side is somewhat larger than the other.

Flowers: 5–9″ (12–22 cm) long, trumpet-shaped, and white, cream-colored, or purplish. The fragrant flowers have several segments, with small points at the edges between them.

Fruits: Prickly, about 1″ (2.5 cm) across.

Habitats: Coastal sage scrub, valley grasslands, joshua tree woods, pinyon-juniper woods.

Edibility: Poisonous Datura contains several poisonous alkaloids that can cause temporary blindness, respiratory depression, seizures, high fevers, and hallucinations. It has been used by some North American native cultures for religious purposes, and more recently, by some as a recreational hallucinogenic. But the effective dosage is dangerously close to the fatal dosage, and panic following temporary blindness causes many injuries as well. See the description of the closely related species D. stramonium for more information.

These varieties of Datura have similar ranges and psychoactive effects, and they are often confused.

References:

Online References:

Older scientific or horticultural names

Datura wrightii description by Thomas H. Kent, not updated.

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