TREATMENT FROM THE JEPSON MANUAL (1993) previous taxon | next taxon
Jepson Interchange (more information)
©Copyright 1993 by the Regents of the University of California
For up-to-date information about California vascular plants, visit the Jepson eFlora.

    THIS PAGE IS NO LONGER UPDATED
    AND IS MAINTAINED FOR ARCHIVAL PURPOSES ONLY
  • Up-to-date information about California vascular plants is available from the Jepson eFlora.

SOLANACEAE

NIGHTSHADE FAMILY

Michael Nee

Annual to shrub
Leaves generally simple, generally alternate, generally petioled; stipules 0; blade entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence various
Flower bisexual; calyx lobes generally 5; corolla ± radial, cylindric to rotate, lobes generally 5; stamens 5, alternate corolla lobes; ovary superior, generally 2-chambered, style 1
Fruit: berry or capsule, 2–5-chambered
Genera in family: 75 genera, 3000 species: worldwide, especially ± tropical; many alien weeds in CA; many cultivated for food, drugs, or ornamental (potato, tomato, peppers, tobacco, petunia); many TOXIC.

DATURA

JIMSON WEED, THORN-APPLE

Annual to subshrub, ± glabrous or hairs simple, ill-smelling
Leaf entire to deeply lobed
Inflorescence: flowers solitary in branch forks
Flower: calyx circumscissile near base, leaving a ± rotate collar in fruit; corolla funnel-shaped, white or purplish, lobes 5(10); filaments attached below middle of corolla tube; ovary 2- or 4-chambered
Fruit: capsule, leathery or ± woody, generally prickled; valves 2–4, or indefinite
Seeds ± flat, black, brown, grayish brown, or tan
Species in genus: ± 13 species: warm regions, especially Mex
Etymology: (Hindu: ancient name)
All species. HIGHLY TOXIC; several ornamental, some source of drugs.

Introduced

D. stramonium L.

JIMSON WEED

Annual < 10 dm
Stem ± glabrous
Leaf 5–15 cm, 4–10 cm wide, ovate, coarsely toothed to shallowly lobed
Flower erect; calyx 3.5–4.5 cm, angled toward base, lobes 5–7 mm; corolla 6–9 cm, glabrous, white or pale blue-purple, lobes 8–10 mm, spreading, tips long, narrow; filaments 22–25 mm; anthers 3.5–5 mm; style 4–6 cm
Fruit 4-valved, erect, 25–35 mm wide, glabrous; prickles 3–10 mm, upper > lower
Seeds 3–3.5 mm, black
Chromosomes: n=12
Ecology: Sandy soils, open, often disturbed areas
Elevation: < 1500 m.
Bioregional distribution: California Floristic Province (except Klamath Ranges, Cascade Range, High Sierra Nevada)
Distribution outside California: to eastern US; native to Mexico
Synonyms: var. tatula (L.) Torr

previous taxon | next taxon
bioregional map for DATURA%20stramonium being generated
 


Retrieve Jepson Interchange Index to Plant Names entry for Datura stramonium
Retrieve dichotomous key for Datura
Return to treatment index page
Glossary
University & Jepson Herbaria Home Page | Copyright © by the Regents of the University of California