Saturday, September 24, 2011

Jimsonweed

Jimsonweed, Datura stamonium (also known as locoweed and pricklyburr) flowers from May through September.  This species is in the Solanaceae (nightshade) family and is found in abandoned fields and "waste areas" across North America.  Despite being potentially deadly, jimsonweed has been used for centuries as a hallocinogen.  The plant's active ingredients are the alkaloids atropine, hyoscyamine, and scopolamine that are classified as deliriants. These compounds typically produce a complete inability to differentiate reality from fantasy; bizarre, and possibly violent behavior. All parts of Datura plants are posionous and may be fatal if ingested by humans or other animals.