Jimsonweed is a poisonous plant that was first known by Americans in Jamestown Virginia. It is known by other names such as Angel's trumpet, Devil's weed, Thorn apple, Tolguacha, moonflower, stinkweed, locoweed and Jamestown weed. The Latin name is Datura stramonium that comes from the Arabian word meaning thorny fruit.
These plants are extremely poisonous. It can cause hallucinations, convulsions, coma, and even death. Almost all parts of the plant are poisonous. The seeds and leaves are especially poisonous. Most people are poisoned by sucking the flower nectar, eating the seeds, or drinking tea made from the leaves. Back in 1676, English soldiers were sent to Jamestown to stop the Rebellion of Bacon. Jimsonweed was included in a salad that was eaten by the soldiers. Soon after, the poison took affect. It is said that after eleven days, the soldiers returned to normal, but remembered nothing that happened.
Jimsonweed is an annual plant. It has white or purple blossoms that are at the forks in the stems. The leaves can be dark green or purple. They have a strong scent and are roughly toothed. The thorny, prickly fruit is hard and they split open revealing tiny black seeds. It can grow to be five feet tall. It was grown in Europe as a decorative houseplant. It is believed that it derives from Asia, but it is now found in all over America and Europe. It is often found in fields and gardens.
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In the Middle Ages, many professional hitmen would place Jimsonweed in a person's food or drink to be used as a killing agent. Jimsonweed was used in the eighteenth century as a medical treatment. It was used to treat epilepsy and psychoses. The leaves are still used in medicines such as atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine. They are used as pain relievers. They also help in the treatment of neurological and psychiatric diseases. .
Jimsonweed is used as an abused drug by many humans. It is used as a hallucinogen.
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