The plant commonly known as the Devil’s Apple, or Datura stramonium, is a highly toxic herbaceous annual belonging to the nightshade family. It is also frequently recognized by other common names, including Jimsonweed and Thornapple. Every part of this plant contains powerful naturally occurring chemical compounds that can cause severe, life-threatening poisoning if ingested. Accurate identification and understanding its dangers are paramount for public safety.
Identifying the Devil’s Apple Plant
Datura stramonium is a coarse, upright, branching plant that typically grows one to five feet tall. It is recognizable by its large, dark green leaves with uneven, toothed edges and a somewhat unpleasant odor when crushed. It thrives in disturbed soils, commonly appearing in agricultural fields, pastures, roadsides, and waste areas worldwide.
The plant produces distinctive, trumpet-shaped flowers that are usually white or pale violet and bloom throughout the summer months. These flowers open in the evening and close by morning. After the flowering stage, the most recognizable feature develops: a hard, egg-shaped capsule covered in numerous sharp spines.
This spiky fruit gives the plant its common names of Thornapple or Devil’s Apple. When this capsule dries and splits open, it releases dozens of small, dark, kidney-shaped seeds. The presence of these spiny seed pods is a definitive sign of Datura stramonium, differentiating it from many other wild plants.
The Specific Dangers of Ingestion
The danger of the Devil’s Apple plant stems from a group of toxic compounds called tropane alkaloids. These compounds, which include atropine, scopolamine, and hyoscyamine, are concentrated throughout the entire plant, with the highest levels often found in the seeds. Ingestion of even small amounts can be extremely harmful due to the potent effects of these alkaloids on the nervous system.
These tropane alkaloids function as anticholinergic agents, meaning they block the action of a neurotransmitter called acetylcholine in both the central and peripheral nervous systems. This disruption causes a widespread systemic reaction, affecting numerous bodily functions. Symptoms of poisoning typically begin within an hour of ingestion and can last for 24 to 48 hours, or even longer, due to the toxins delaying gastric emptying.
The clinical presentation of poisoning is often described by a classic rhyme: “hot as a hare, blind as a bat, dry as a bone, red as a beet, and mad as a hen.” Severe symptoms include hyperthermia, extreme dilation of the pupils (mydriasis) leading to blurred vision, and severely dry skin and mucous membranes. The skin may also become flushed and red.
Neurological effects are particularly severe, involving acute psychosis, profound confusion, agitated delirium, and vivid hallucinations. The disruption to the cardiovascular system can cause a rapid heart rate (tachycardia) and elevated blood pressure. In the most serious cases, this toxicity can lead to seizures, respiratory failure, cardiovascular collapse, and ultimately, coma.
Necessary Safety and Emergency Protocols
Because of the severe toxicity of Datura stramonium, any suspected exposure or ingestion must be treated as a medical emergency. If a person or pet has ingested any part of the Devil’s Apple plant, the most immediate action is to call for professional medical help. Do not wait for symptoms to develop or attempt to induce vomiting unless specifically instructed to do so by a medical professional.
In the United States, the National Poison Control Center should be contacted immediately at 1-800-222-1222, or the local emergency number should be called. When reporting the incident, provide specific details about the plant ingested, the amount, and the time of exposure. Treatment focuses on supportive care to manage dangerous symptoms, such as cooling the body for hyperthermia or administering sedatives for agitation.
Preventative measures are the safest way to manage this plant around homes and properties. If Datura stramonium is found growing in a yard, it should be carefully removed, ensuring that protective gloves are worn to avoid contact with the sap. Educating children and supervising pets in areas where the plant is common can prevent accidental ingestion of the leaves, flowers, or particularly the highly toxic seeds.