Would like to know about jimson weed plants?

Question

Want to know if it is poisonus? Can it be grown anywere?

Answer 1

Title:
Jimson Weed: Fast Facts

Author:
Staff

Publisher:
Do It Now Foundation

Publication Date:
4/02

Catalog Number:
525


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Overview: Jimson weed is a common name for a plant known botanically as Datura stramonium, which has been used as a medicine and intoxicant for centuries. The plant's main ingredients are the belladonna alkaloids atropine and scopolamine. Since Jimson weed is native to much of the U.S. (from New England to Texas), it's most often used by young people in those areas unfamiliar with its reputation and unprepared for its side effects.

Street Names: Thornapple, stinkweed, locoweed

Appearance: Jimson weed can reach a height of 5 feet, bearing white flowers and prickly seed pods that split open when ripe, usually in fall.

Effects: The phrase "Red as a beet, dry as a bone, blind as a bat, mad as a hatter" has been used to describe Jimson's effects, and it does a good job of summing them up. All parts of the plant are toxic, so pleasant effects are limited-a big reason the plant is used only by novices. Atropine and scopolamine block the neurotransmitter acetylcholine, causing dry mouth, dilated pupils, high temperature (but reduced sweating), and blurred vision. Psychological effects include confusion, euphoria, and delirium.

Side Effects/Risks: Potential for accidental poisoning increases with higher doses. Symptoms include incoherent speech, impaired coordination; rapid heart beat; and dry, flushed or hot skin. In extreme cases, users can experience seizures, intense visual or auditory hallucinations, or cardiac arrest. A Jimson weed overdose should be considered potentially serious and medical intervention sought.

Addiction Potential: Since Jimson weed's effects aren't generally considered pleasurable, addiction usually isn't a factor.

Medical Uses: Because of its anticholinergic properties and antispasmodic effects, Jimson weed was used in traditional medicine to treat a variety of illnesses. Today, extracts are still used in treating asthma, intestinal cramps, and both diarrhea and bed-wetting.

Answer 2

All parts of the Jimson weed (datura stramonium) plant are toxic to humans. They are an annual, usually grown from seed, and can be found worldwide. While the plant does have some medicinal uses, it is usally grown as an ornamental plant. It has large white flowers that open at night, thus earning it one of its common names, "Moonflower vine." Tea made from Jimson weed seeds is hallucinogenic, and has potentially life-threatning side effects. The second link below discusses those in more detail.

Answer 3

Datura stramonium, also called Jimson Weed, Loco Weed, Jamestown Weed, Thorn Apple, Angel's Trumpet, and Zombie's Cucumber is a common poisonous weed in the Nightshade Family. It contains tropane alkaloids that are sometimes used as a hallucinogen. The active ingredients are atropine, hyoscyamine and scopolamine which are classified as deliriants, or anticholinergics.
Teenagers occasionally use datura as a cheap alternative to illegal drugs. Typically it is not illegal, although some American states do have laws regulating its consumption. It is typically consumed as a sort of herb tea, though it can also be eaten or smoked. Overall, it has a very low demand as a recreational drug, because it has a reputation as a very poor/unpleasant high.

Answer 4

Datura.... used by Shamans as a halucinegenic but yes, can be fatal.
Come in lots of different colours and not to be confused with the Brugmansia.

Datura flowers point up, plant enjoys full sun and heat. They are an annual, with the "thorn apple" seed pods bursting and providing lots of seeds for the following year.

Brugmansias hang down, prefer protection from the sun. They are a perennial but need winter protection - if you get winter. Here is Barbados they grown in to large shrubs.

Answer 5

It is poisonous and is a weed. It is a pretty hardy plant because I have seen it in the Mt's of North Carolina which is a different climate zone from here.

Answer 6

Very poisonous. The name is from "Jamestown Weed" they were hungry, ate that , went totally crazy. Datura Stramonium I think is the latin name. Some indians in mexico eat it for religeous resons. I wouldn't try it unless you know what it will do to or for you. And the dosage.

Answer 7

Don't mess with Jimson weed.

Answer 8

Yes, it is poisonous. It was just on House, the TV show, where an autistic child ate some and started having hallucinogens.