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Thorn Apple
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Thorn Apple

Datura stramonium

Basic Details
Description
Floral Formula
Features
Translations
Related

Basic Details

NameThorn Apple
DescriptionStriking annual herb featuring large, trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom white or pale purple, opening at dusk and releasing a sweet, intoxicating fragrance throughout the night. The distinctive spiny, golf ball-sized seed capsules covered in sharp thorns give the plant its common name. Highly toxic in all parts, containing dangerous alkaloids used historically in medicine and shamanic rituals, but extremely dangerous if ingested.
FamilySolanaceae
GenusDatura
TribeDatureae

Floral Formula & Features

Floral FormulaEBr ⊕ ☿ K(5) C(5) A5 G(2)

Ebracteate (no bracts), Actinomorphic (radially symmetrical), bisexual, 5 fused sepals forming tubular calyx, 5 fused petals forming trumpet-shaped corolla, 5 free stamens attached to corolla tube, 2 fused carpels with superior ovary

Features
  • Name 'Thorn Apple' refers to the distinctive spiny seed capsules covered in sharp thorns that resemble a small, prickly apple. 'Datura' comes from Sanskrit 'dhattūra,' an ancient name for the plant. 'Stramonium' possibly derives from Greek 'strychnos mania' meaning mad nightshade
  • Large trumpet or funnel-shaped flowers 3-8 inches (7-20 cm) long, opening at dusk and closing by mid-morning. Blooms are typically white or pale purple with five pointed lobes, releasing a heavy, sweet fragrance at night to attract moth pollinators
  • Annual herbaceous plant with coarse, irregularly toothed leaves and branching stems. Blooms from summer through fall (June-October). Seed capsules are egg-shaped, 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) in diameter, covered with sharp spines
  • Grows 2-5 feet (60-150 cm) tall with equal spread. Lifespan of one growing season (annual). Propagated by seeds which can remain viable in soil for decades. Each capsule contains 50-100 black seeds
  • Native to Central and North America, particularly Mexico and southwestern United States. Now naturalized worldwide as a weed in temperate and tropical regions including Europe, Asia, Africa, India, and Australia
  • Thrives in full sun with 6-8 hours of direct sunlight. Grows in disturbed soils, roadsides, waste areas, and agricultural fields. Drought-tolerant once established. Prefers well-drained soil but adapts to various conditions
  • Extremely toxic - all parts contain tropane alkaloids (scopolamine, hyoscyamine, atropine) that can cause hallucinations, delirium, and death if ingested. Used historically in medicine for asthma and pain relief, but too dangerous for modern use. Seeds and leaves most poisonous
  • Attracts hawk moths and sphinx moths as night pollinators. Considered a noxious weed in many regions due to toxicity to livestock and humans. Seeds spread easily, making it invasive in agricultural areas

Names in Different Languages

Latin / ScientificDatura stramonium
English (Alternate)Datura innoxia, Moon Flower, Hell's Bells, Devil's Trumpet, Devil's Weed, Tolguacha, Jamestown Weed, Stinkweed, Locoweed
Hindiधतूरा (Dhatura)
Tamilஊமத்தை (Umathai)
Teluguఉమ్మెత్త (ummetta)
Malayalamഉമ്മം (ummam)
Kannadaಉಮತ್ತಾ (Umattā)
Sanskritधत्तूरा (dhattura)
Bengaliধুতুরা (Dhatura)
Frenchpomme épineuse, datura
Russian дурман (durman), белена (belena)
Spanishestramonio
GermanStechapfel, Dornapfel

What is Floral Formula?

A floral formula is a symbolic representation of a flower's structure using letters, numbers, and special symbols. It provides a concise way to describe the arrangement and number of floral parts.

Example Formula
% K(6) C1+2+(2) A(9) G2

This formula describes the flower's symmetry, sepals, petals, stamens, and carpels in a standardized format.

Formula Sequence

  • Bract: Br or Ebr
  • Bracteole: Brl or Ebrl
  • Symmetry: % (Radial) or ⊕ (Bilateral)
  • Sex: ♀ (Female), ♂ (Male), or ⚥ (Bisexual)
  • Calyx/Sepal: K<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Corolla/Petal: C<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Androecium: A<number> (Free or Fused)
  • Gynaecium: G<number> (Superior or Inferior Ovary)

Symbol Meanings

  • Numbers: Indicate quantity of parts
  • Parentheses (): Parts are fused together
  • Plus (+): Parts in different whorls
  • Underline: Superior ovary position
  • Overline: Inferior ovary position
  • ∞: Numerous parts (too many to count)

Understanding floral formulas helps botanists quickly identify and classify flowers based on their structural characteristics.