๐ธ๐ฑ Commonly known as Devil's Trumpet, Indian thornapple or Hindu Datura, Datura metel, is a somewhat woody perennial shrub from the family Solanaceae. It is well known for its deadly toxicity.
๐ธ๐ฑThe stems are hollow, green or purple-black, somewhat woody, and have a strong odour. It is slightly pubescent.
๐ธ๐ฑThe large, ovate, simple leaves are, alternate, petiolate, and exhibit entire or deeply lobed margins.The leaves emit unpleasant odor when bruised.
๐ธ๐ฑFlowers are single, trumpet-shaped and held vertically (20 - 25 cm long). Short projections occur between adjacent lobes and heart-shaped notches occur in the middle of each lobe apex. Those growing in the wild are typically whitish, but there are purple cultivars.Flowers are most fragrant at night to attract pollinating sphinx moths. Cool nights promote flowering.
๐ธ๐ฑRound to egg-shaped fruit is covered in tubercles (small, round bumps). It is classified as a capsule, a dry, dehiscent fruit. The fruit breaks open in an irregular manner, releasing 200 - 300 brownish yellow seeds. Seeds are approximately bean-shaped and have a large, whitish elaiosome. The elaiosome is a nutrient-rich tissue that attracts ants which disperse seeds.
๐ธ๐ฑAll parts of the plant are highly toxic and contain tropane alkaloids, which are psychoactive compounds that may lead to hallucinations, delirium, blurred vision and even death. The sap if it touches skin, can cause irritation.
๐ธ๐ฑDespite its toxicity it has found use in some traditional medicine systems and pest control. An extract of the flowers is said to be used as anaesthetic while the seed oil is used for massaging painful body parts.
๐ธ๐ฑ An extract of the roots is sprinkled in houses to repel snakes. The seeds when mixed with sorghum flour are used as poison bait for rats.
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Reference
Plants of Singapore
