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.

Native

D. wrightii Regel

Annual or perennial herb 5–15 dm
Stem whitish puberulent
Leaf 7–20 cm, ovate, entire or coarsely lobed
Flower erect to nodding; calyx 8–12 cm, ribbed toward base, lobes ± 2 cm; corolla 15–20 cm, puberulent, white, lobes 1–2 cm, tips long, narrow; filaments 13–15 cm, anthers 12–15 mm; style 15–18 cm
Fruit irregularly valved, nodding, 25–30 mm wide, puberulent; prickles 5–12 mm
Seeds 5 mm, flat, tan; margin grooved
Chromosomes: n=12
Ecology: Sandy or gravelly open areas
Elevation: < 2200 m.
Bioregional distribution: Inner North Coast Ranges, c&s Sierra Nevada Foothills, Tehachapi Mountain Area, Great Central Valley, Central Western California, Southwestern California, Desert
Distribution outside California: to Utah, Texas, Mexico
Flowering time: Apr–Oct
Sometimes cultivated for showy flowers; may have been introduced by early Spanish; may be the same as D. inoxia J.S. Mill
Synonyms: D. meteloides A.DC
, native to Mex
Horticultural information: DRN, SUN: 7, 8, 9, 10, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24 &IRR: 11, 12, 13; occasionally. INV.