Thorn-Apple Datura wrightii
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Thorn-Apple:
- Phonetic Spelling
- duh-TOO-ruh RITE-ee-eye
- This plant has low severity poison characteristics.
- See below
- Description
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Angel's trumpet is in the nightshade family (Solanaceae). It is native to the southwestern USA and Mexico, and it may be native to North Carolina (botanist do not yet agree on this point). Angel's trumpet is found in open or disturbed land and along roadsides with well-drained (sandy) soils. All part are poisonous 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.
The large, trumpet-shaped, white flowers are showy and open in the evening and are withered by noon of the next day. They are pollinated by moths. It grows in a sprawling habit and can reach 6 feet wide and 2 to 5 feet tall. It is also commonly planted as an ornamental, especially in xeriscapes due to its drought-tolerant characteristics. The large tuberous roots are very long and thick and contribute to the plants drought tolerance. It is considered weedy in the parts of the west.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Datura
- Species:
- wrightii
- Family:
- Solanaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Native Americans used it in religious ceremonies and for medicinal purposes.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- SW. & S. Central U.S.A. to Northern Mexico
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Resistant to damage by deer.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Poisonous
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Erect
- Spreading
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Medium
- Texture:
- Coarse
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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:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Occasionally Dry
- Very Dry
- Available Space To Plant:
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b, 11a, 11b, 12a, 12b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Brown/Copper
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- Spiny capsules with black seeds are 1 to 2 inches across.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Purple/Lavender
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Long Bloom Season
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Trumpet
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- fused petals
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- The fragrant trumpet flowers are up to 6 inches long and 4 inches across. The blooms are white and sometimes have purple tinting around the margins. The 5 fused petals have five narrow points spaced symmetrically around the rim.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Rough
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Entire
- Undulate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- The leaves are up to to 6 inches long and 4 inches wide with fine hairs on the undersides. The margins are entire or wavy, tips pointed and prominent lighter veins. Bases are asymmetrical. They are foul-smelling.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Gray/Silver
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Form:
- Straight
- Stem Surface:
- Hairy (pubescent)
- Stem Description:
- Gray-green stems have fine hairs
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Landscape Theme:
- Cottage Garden
- Drought Tolerant Garden
- Nighttime Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Rock Garden
- Design Feature:
- Specimen
- Attracts:
- Moths
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
- Problems:
- Problem for Cats
- Problem for Children
- Problem for Dogs
- Problem for Horses
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Poisonous to Humans:
- Poison Severity:
- Low
- Poison Symptoms:
- Hot, dry, and flushed skin, hallucinations, pupil dilation, headache, delirium, rapid and weak pulse, convulsions, and coma
- Poison Toxic Principle:
- Tropane alkaloids
- Causes Contact Dermatitis:
- No
- Poison Part:
- Bark
- Flowers
- Fruits
- Leaves
- Roots
- Seeds
