Plant Profile: Datura stramonium

This plant is an annual herb or a herbaceous perennial characterized by its green to purplish stem, which emits an unpleasant odor. Its leaves are alternate, simple, and coarsely toothed. The flowers are large and tubular, featuring five shallow lobes at the top, and can be white or lavender in color. These blooms open at night, releasing a strong fragrance that attracts nocturnal moths.

You can typically find this plant in weedy, disturbed environments such as roadsides, abandoned fields, pastures, and other waste areas, where it often appears as a weed in gardens.

While all parts of the plant are toxic, the seeds and leaves pose the greatest risk. However, toxicity is only a concern when consumed in large quantities.

Additionally, this plant is sensitive to frost.