trade
search plant database and seed store
Plant Informational Database

Thorn Apple

Datura inoxia

a.k.a. Jimson Weed, Angel's Trumpet, Stinkweed, Pricklyburr

Low lying, spreading perennial with very pretty, 6-12" long lavender-white flowers.

Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Thorn Apple. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

Low lying, short-lived perennial, usually only growing 1-3ft in height, but may spread out several feet. To continue blooming, unripe fruits should be cut off (this also stops the plant from becoming a pest). This species is closely related to, and sometime confused with or incorporated into Datura stramonium - jimson weed. D. inoxia tends to be even more poisonous than jimson weed.

Hardiness

The thorn apple is very hardy, and will survive outdoors pretty much anywhere in the United States, except for extreme winter areas.

Growing Environment

Grows in pretty much any soil type, will survive droughts and isn't picky about climate.

Propagation

Plants grow readily from seeds and the plant can become weedy if left unchecked.

Uses

The thorn apple is usually planted as an ornamental, but in many areas in can become weedy if unchecked. Historically the plant was used for medicinal purposes but all parts of this plant are highly poisonous (it is sometimes labeled as the most poisonous plant on Earth, although this is subjective). No part of this plant should ever be injested.

Native Range

There is confusion about its true native range, its may be native to either Asia or parts of Central or South America. In either case, the thorn apple now grows practically all over the globe.

Additional Pictures

banner banner

Related Species

Solanaceae  
Acnistus arborescens
Wild Tobacco
Brugmansia arborea
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia aurea
Golden Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia candida
White Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia sanguinea
Red Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia suaveolens
Angel's Trumpet
Brugmansia versicolor
Orange Angel's Trumpet
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum caballeroi
Capsicum exile
Cobincho Pepper
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum eximium
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum flexuosum
Capsicum galapagoense
Galapagos Island Pepper
Capsicum praetermissum
Cumari
Capsicum rhomboideum
Capsicum rhomboideum
Cyphomandra abutiloides
Dwarf Tamarillo
Cyphomandra betacea
Tree Tomato
Datura inoxia
Thorn Apple
Datura metel
Double Purple Datura
Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis)
Mini Angel's Trumpet
Iochroma cyaneum
Violet Churcu
Iochroma fuchsioides
Red Iochroma
Iochroma grandiflora
Giant Iochroma
Jaltomata procumbens
Jaltomato
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon melanocarpa
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Lycopersicon skorospelka
Nicotiana glauca
Tree Tobacco
Physalis alkekengi
Chinese Lantern
Physalis angulata
Mullaca
Physalis costomatl
Cotztomatl
Physalis ixocarpa
Tomatillo
Physalis minima
Sunberry
Physalis peruviana
Cape Gooseberry
Physalis pruinosa
Ground Cherry
Solanum aviculare
Kangaroo Apple
Solanum burbankii
Wonderberry
Solanum caripense
Tzimbalo
Solanum chessmanii
Galapagos Island Tomato
Solanum dulcamara
Bittersweet
Solanum hispidum
Giant Devil's Fig
Solanum lycocarpum
Fruit for Wolves
Solanum macrocarpon
Gbogname
Solanum mammosum
Nipple Fruit
Solanum melanocerasum
Garden Huckleberry
Solanum muricatum
Pepino
Solanum pseudolulo
Pseudolulo
Solanum quitoense
Naranjilla
Solanum sessiliflorum
Cocona
Solanum uporo
Cannibal's Tomato
Withania somnifera
Ashwagandha