Datura quercifolia

Kunth.

Oak Leaf Datura, Chinese thorn-apple

Solanaceae Edible: Fruit Potential hazards — see below

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Description

Datura quercifolia is a ANNUAL growing to 1.5 m (5ft). See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs). Suitable for: light (sandy) and medium (loamy) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Edible Uses

Drink. Fruit - ground up and mixed with clay ( the clay probably has a neutralizing effect on the toxins). A very toxic plant, its use cannot be recommended. The fruit is about 7cm long and 6cm wide. A stupefying beverage is made from the leaves and roots.

Medicinal Uses

Narcotic. The whole plant is narcotic. It has been used in the past to deaden pain, treat insomnia etc, but any use of this plant should only be carried out under the supervision of a qualified practitioner since the difference between the medicinal dose and a toxic dose is very small.

Known Hazards

All members of this genus contain narcotics and are very poisonous, even in small doses.

Distribution

South-western N. America - Arizona to Mexico.

Where It Grows

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Kansas (southwest), Oklahoma (Cimarron Co.), New Mexico, Texas, Arizona (southeast)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, San Luis Potosí, Sinaloa, Sonora, Tamaulipas, Zacatecas, Aguascalientes, Ciudad de México, Colima, Guanajuato, Hidalgo, Jalisco, México, Michoacán de Ocampo, Querétaro, Veracruz de Ignacio de la Llave)

Cultivation

Prefers a rich light sandy soil and an open sunny position. Grows best in a fertile calcareous soil. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c. This species is extremely susceptible to the various viruses that afflict the potato family (Solanaceae), it can act as a centre of infection so should not be grown near potatoes or tomatoes. Closely related to D. stramonium.

Propagation

Sow the seed in individual pots in early spring in a greenhouse. Put 3 or 4 seeds in each pot and thin if necessary to the best plant. The seed usually germinates in 3 - 6 weeks at 15°c. Plant out in late spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts. Especially in areas with hot summers, it is worthwhile trying a sowing outdoors in situ in mid to late spring.

Other Uses

Unlike Datura inoxia Datura quercifolia does not have much ornamental value. Datura species are extremely susceptible to the various viruses that afflict the potato family (Solanaceae), it can act as a centre of infection so should not be grown near potatoes or tomatoes.