Jimsonweed – Datura stramonium
Print
EmailDatura stramonium L.
Solanaceae (Nightshade family)
MI Status
Non-native
Life cycle
Erect, branching summer annual.
Leaves
Cotyledons are long and narrow with a prominent midvein. Leaves are alternate, oval to egg-shaped, 3 to 8 inches long, smooth with long petioles. First leaves are entire; later leaves have large, coarsely and unevenly toothed margins. Damaged leaves will emit a foul odor.
Stems
Erect and branching, up to 5-foot-tall stems are hollow, generally smooth and green to purple. Damaged stems emit a foul odor.
Flowers and fruit
Flower petals are large, white to purple in color and fused into a 2- to 5-inch-long tube. Fruit are very spiny, egg-shaped capsules with four valves. Each valve contains numerous flat, dark brown to black, round to kidney-shaped seeds.
Reproduction
Seeds.
Toxicity
All plant parts are toxic to animals.
Other Documents in this Series
You Might Also Be Interested In
-
4-H Cloverbuds and Service: Chemo Kits for Kids
Published on May 30, 2019
-
4-H Cloverbuds and Service: Creating Care Packages for Deployed Soldiers, Veterans or Military Families
Published on May 30, 2019
-
4-H Cloverbud and Service: Citizen Science – Learning About Nature and Gathering Data
Published on May 30, 2019
-
Performance and prospects of payments for ecosystem services programs: Evidence from China
Published on June 23, 2013
-
Celebrating 100 years of Michigan State University Extension in Alcona County
Published on October 19, 2017
-
Suspect herbicide resistance? Submit weed seeds for screening
Published on October 1, 2025
Accessibility Questions:
For questions about accessibility and/or if you need additional accommodations for a specific document, please send an email to ANR Communications & Marketing at anrcommunications@anr.msu.edu.