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Thorn-Apple Datura metel

Other plants called Thorn-Apple:

Phonetic Spelling
dah-TOO-rah MET-el
This plant has high severity poison characteristics.
See below
Description

Angel's trumpet is a deciduous, shrub-like, tender, herbaceous perennial, often grown as an annual, in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It grows 3 to 4 feet tall and wide and is native from Colombia to Texas, where it is often found in sunny locations in disturbed places and river sands. 

Angel's trumpet tolerates average soil but prefers rich, moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. It will tolerate alkaline or sandy soil but does not do well in full shade. It is winter hardy to USDA Zone 9 to 10. Most plantings of angel's trumpet are nursery plants; however, it can be started indoors from seeds about 6 to 8 weeks before the last spring frost and set plants out after that date. Plants tend to sprawl and should be spaced about 3 feet apart or staked and supported. Deadheading flowers is not necessary, but self-seeding may occur if the plants are not deadheaded. Seeds can be collected and saved for planting in the following spring. Container plants can be cut back and overwintered indoors in a sunny window.

The large flowers are shaped like trumpets (hence the common name), are slow to develop and bloom, and have an exotic fragrance; however, the bruised leaves also give off an odor that some consider unpleasant. Each flower unravels in the evening from an unusual cigar-shaped flower bud and fades by noon the following day. All parts of the plant are highly toxic if consumed. Species of Datura are sometimes confused with those of Brugmansia (also called angel's trumpet), but Datura flowers face upward, whereas Brugmansia flowers are pendulous.

Angel’s trumpet is perfect for a nighttime garden. It grows well in a container on a patio or planted as a specimen or border in a bed.

Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Watch for whiteflies, mealy bugs, and spider mites.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Belle-Blanche'
    A white-flowered cultivar.
  • 'Blackcurrant Swirl'
  • 'Cornucopae'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Belle-Blanche', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#shrub#spreading#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#attractive leaves#sprawling#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#problem for cattle#annual
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Alba'
  • 'Aurea'
  • 'Belle-Blanche'
    A white-flowered cultivar.
  • 'Blackcurrant Swirl'
  • 'Cornucopae'
'Alba', 'Aurea', 'Belle-Blanche', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', 'Cornucopae'
Tags:
#poisonous#fragrant flowers#shrub#spreading#ornamentals#herbaceous perennial#attractive leaves#sprawling#fantz#problem for cats#problem for dogs#problem for children#problem for horses#problem for cattle#annual
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Datura
    Species:
    metel
    Family:
    Solanaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Annual
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Texas south to Columbia
    Distribution:
    Naturalized in the Mediterranean, Africa, Turkey, Indian subcontinent.
    Edibility:
    Poisonous. Use with extreme caution.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Annual
    Herbaceous Perennial
    Poisonous
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Spreading
    Growth Rate:
    Slow
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Texture:
    Medium
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
    Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
    Soil Texture:
    High Organic Matter
    Loam (Silt)
    Sand
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Cream/Tan
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Fruit Type:
    Capsule
    Fruit Description:
    Spiny capsule splits open irregularly when ripe to disperse its seeds. Seeds are long-lived and can remain dormant in the soil for many years.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Gold/Yellow
    Purple/Lavender
    White
    Flower Inflorescence:
    Solitary
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Fragrant
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Fall
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Trumpet
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    fused petals
    Flower Size:
    3-6 inches
    Flower Description:
    Seven inch trumpet-shaped flowers, white or violet. Single or double, upward-facing trumpets (4 inches wide at the mouth) have a sweetly overpowering fragrance. Blossoms from mid-Summer to first frost and opens in late afternoon and on cloudy days.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Simple
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Ovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Sinuate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    > 6 inches
    Leaf Description:
    Wavy-margined, dark green leaves (to 8 inches long) have a downy texture. Foliage emits a disagreeable odor when bruised or crushed.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Purple/Lavender
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Container
    Landscape Theme:
    Nighttime Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Specimen
    Attracts:
    Moths
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Drought
    Problems:
    Poisonous to Humans
  • Poisonous to Humans:
    Poison Severity:
    High
    Poison Symptoms:
    Hot, dry, and flushed skin, hallucinations, pupil dilation, headache, delirium, rapid and weak pulse, convulsions, and coma.
    Poison Toxic Principle:
    Tropane alkaloids. Contains several alkaloids, the most active of which is scopolamine.
    Causes Contact Dermatitis:
    No
    Poison Part:
    Flowers
    Fruits
    Leaves
    Roots
    Seeds
    Stems