DaturaFrom Wikipedia, the free encyclopediaFor other uses, seeDatura (disambiguation).For other plants with the name "Angel's trumpet", seeAngel's trumpet.Datura

Datura metel

Scientific classification

Kingdom:Plantae

(unranked):Angiosperms

(unranked):Eudicots

(unranked):Asterids

Order:Solanales

Family:Solanaceae

Subfamily:Solanoideae

Tribe:Datureae

Genus:DaturaL.

Type species

Datura stramoniumL.

Species

See text below

Daturais agenusof nine species of poisonousvespertineflowering plantsbelonging to the familySolanaceae. They are known asangel's trumpets, sometimes sharing that name with the closely related genusBrugmansia, and commonly known as daturas. They are also sometimes calledmoonflowers, one of several plant species to be so. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensivecultivationandnaturalizationthroughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe. Its distribution within theAmericasandNorth Africa, however, is most likely restricted to theUnited StatesandMexicoin North America, andTunisiain Africa, where the highest species diversity occurs.All species ofDaturaare poisonous, especially their seeds and flowers.SomeSouth Americanplants formerly thought of asDaturaare now treated as belonging to the distinct genusBrugmansia[1](Brugmansiadiffers fromDaturain that it is woody, makingshrubsor smalltrees, and it has pendulous flowers, rather than erect ones). Other related genera includeHyoscyamusandAtropa.Contents[hide] 1Etymology 2Description 3Species and cultivars 3.1Past classified species 4Cultivation 5Toxicity 5.1Effects of ingestion 5.2Treatment 6Gallery 7See also 8References 9Further reading 10External linksEtymology[edit]The nameDaturais taken fromHindidhatra'thorn-apple',[2]ultimately fromSanskritdhattra'white thorn-apple'.[3]In Sanskrit it is referred as "Kanak" and "Unmatt" in the ancient scriptures of IndianAyurvedaby sagesSushrutaandCharakain the ayurvedic textSushrut. Record of this name in English dates back to 1662.[4]Nathaniel Hawthornerefers to one type inThe Scarlet Letterasapple-Peru. In Mexico, its common name istoloache.Description[edit]Daturaspecies areherbaceous, leafyannualsand short-livedperennialswhich can reach up to 2 m in height. Theleavesare alternate, 1020cm long and 518cm broad, with a lobed or toothed margin. Theflowersare erect or spreading (not pendulous like those ofBrugmansia), trumpet-shaped, 520cm long and 412cm broad at the mouth; colors vary from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. Thefruitis a spinycapsule410cm long and 26cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerousseeds. The seeds disperse freely over pastures, fields and even wasteland locations.Daturabelongs to the classic "witches' weeds", along withdeadly nightshade,henbane, andmandrake. Most parts of the plants are toxic, and datura has a long history of use for causing delirious states and death. It was well known as an essential ingredient of potions and witches' brews.[5]In India it has been referred to as "Poisonous" and as anaphrodisiac. In little measures it was used inAyurvedaas a medicine from the ancient times. It is used in rituals and prayers toShiva.Thelarvaeof someLepidoptera(butterflyandmoth) species, includingHypercompe indecisa, eat someDaturaspecies.Species and cultivars[edit]

Datura metelIt is difficult to classifyDaturaas to its species, and it often happens that the descriptions of new species are accepted prematurely. Later, these "new species" are found to be simply varieties that have evolved due to conditions at a specific location. They usually disappear in a few years. Contributing to the confusion is the fact that various species, such asD. wrightiiandD. inoxia, are very similar in appearance, and the variation within a species can be extreme. For example,Daturaspecies can change size of plant, leaf, and flowers, all depending on location. The same species, when growing in a half-shady, damp location can develop into a flowering bush half as tall as an adult human of average height, but when growing in a very dry location, will only grow into a thin plant not much more than ankle-high, with tiny flowers and a few miniature leaves.[5]Today, experts classify only nine species ofDatura:[5] D. ceratocaulaJacq.torna loco D. discolorBernh. desert thorn-apple D. feroxL. long-spined thorn-apple D. inoxiaMill. thorn-apple, downy thorn-apple, Indian-apple, moonflower, sacred datura,toloatzin, toloache D. leichhardtiiF.Muell.exBenth.(syn.D. pruinosa) Leichhardt's datura D. metelL. devil's trumpet[5] D. quercifoliaKunth oak-leaf thorn-apple D. stramoniumL.(syn.D. inermis) jimsonweed, thorn-apple D. wrightiiRegel sacred datura, sacred thorn-appleAmerican Brugmansia and Datura Society, Inc. (ABADS) is designated in the 2004 edition of theInternational Code of Nomenclature for Cultivated Plantsas the officialInternational Cultivar Registration AuthorityforDatura. This role was delegated to ABADS by theInternational Society for Horticultural Sciencein 2002.Past classified species[edit] D. bernhardii D. kymatocarpa D. lanosa D. reburra D. suaveolensCultivation[edit]

Fruit

D. inoxiawith ripe, split-open fruitDaturaspecies are usually planted annually from the seed produced in the spiny pods, but with care, plants can be overwintered. Most species are suited to being planted outside or in containers. As a rule, they need warm, sunny places and soil that will keep their roots dry. When grown outdoors in good locations, the plants tend to reseed themselves and may become invasive. In containers, they should have porous, aerated potting soil with adequate drainage. The plants are susceptible to fungi in the root area, so organic enrichment such as compost and manure should be avoided.[5]Toxicity[edit]AllDaturaplants containtropane alkaloidssuch asscopolamine,hyoscyamine, andatropine, primarily in their seeds and flowers. Because of the presence of these substances,Daturahas been used for centuries in some cultures as apoison.[5][6]There can be a 5:1 toxin variation between plants,[citation needed]and a given plant's toxicity depends on its age, where it is growing, and the local weather conditions. These variations makesDaturaexceptionally hazardous as a drug.In traditional cultures, a great deal of experience with and detailed knowledge ofDaturawas critical to minimize harm.[5]Many tragic incidents result from modern users ingestingDatura. For example, in the 1990s and 2000s, the United States media contained stories ofadolescentsand young adults dying or becoming seriously ill from intentionally ingestingDatura.[7][8]There are also several reports in the medical literature of deaths fromD. stramoniumandD. feroxintoxication.[9][10][11]Children are especially vulnerable to atropine poisoning.[12][13]Daturatoxins may be ingested accidentally by consumption ofhoneyproduced by several wasp species, includingBrachygastra lecheguana, during theDaturablooming season. It appears that these semi-domesticatedhoney waspscollectDaturanectar for honey production which can lead to poisoning.[14]In some parts ofEuropeandIndia,Daturahas been a popularpoisonforsuicideandmurder. From 1950 to 1965, the State Chemical Laboratories inAgra, India, investigated 2,778 deaths caused by ingestingDatura.[5][15]The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported accidental poisoning resulting in hospitalization for a family of six who inadvertently ingestedDaturaused as an ingredient in stew.[16]In some places, it is prohibited to buy, sell, or cultivateDaturaplants.[5][15]Effects of ingestion[edit]Due to the potent combination ofanticholinergicsubstances it contains,Daturaintoxication typically produces effects similar to that of an anticholinergicdelirium(usually involving a complete inability to differentiaterealityfromfantasy);hyperthermia;tachycardia; bizarre, and possibly violent behavior; and severemydriasis(dilated pupils) with resultant painfulphotophobiathat can last several days. Pronouncedamnesiais another commonly reported effect.[17]InPharmacology and Abuse of Cocaine, Amphetamines, Ecstasy and Related Designer Drugs, Freye asserts: Few substances have received as many severely negative recreational experience reports as hasDatura. The overwhelming majority of those who describe their use ofDaturafind their experiences extremely unpleasant both mentally and often physically dangerous.[17]However, anthropologists have found that indigenous groups, with a great deal of experience with and detailed knowledge ofDatura, have been known to use Datura recreationally (including the Navajo and especially the Havasupai).[18][19]The knowledge of Datura's properties was critical to minimize harm.[5]Treatment[edit]Due to their agitated behavior and confused mental state, victims ofDaturapoisoning are typically hospitalized. Stomach pumping and the administration ofactivated charcoalcan be used to reduce the stomach's absorption of the ingested material. The drugphysostigmineis used to reverse the effect of the poisons.Benzodiazepinescan be given to curb the patient's agitation, and supportive care with oxygen, hydration, and symptomatic treatment is often provided. Observation of the patient is indicated until the symptoms resolve, usually from 2436 hours after ingestion of theDatura.[15][20]Gallery[edit] Datura flower on the plant (lateral view) near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India Datura flower on the plant (top view) near Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh, India Datura in bloomSee also[edit]