Datura metel

Datura metel, commonly known as Devil's Trumpet or Moonflower, is a potent medicinal shrub belonging to the Solanaceae family. Renowned for its large, trumpet-shaped flowers, it contains bioactive alkaloids like scopolamine. While traditionally used in various healing practices, its intense toxicity requires extreme caution and expert pharmacological guidance.

  • Scientific name: Datura metel
  • Family: Solanaceae
  • Native range: Europe

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Solanales and the family Solanaceae, it is classified under the genus Datura. Specifically, Datura metel represents a distinct species within this botanical hierarchy.

Rank Classification Source
Kingdom Plantae WCVP
Phylum Streptophyta WCVP
Class Equisetopsida WCVP
Subclass Magnoliidae WCVP
Order Solanales WCVP
Family Solanaceae WCVP
Genus Datura WCVP

Distribution

This plant exhibits a broad geographical distribution that spans across multiple continents and diverse climates. In Middle Europe, its presence can be noted within the borders of Germany. Moving toward the Mediterranean, it is found in Southwestern Europe, specifically on the island of Sardegna. The species also extends into Eastern Europe, where it grows throughout South European Russia. Finally, its range reaches into Northern Africa, with documented occurrences in both Algeria and Egypt.

Region Area Source
Middle Europe Germany WCVP
Southwestern Europe Sardegna WCVP
Eastern Europe South European Russia WCVP
Northern Africa Algeria WCVP
Northern Africa Egypt WCVP
Northern Africa Libya WCVP
Northern Africa Morocco WCVP
Northern Africa Tunisia WCVP
Macaronesia Canary Is. WCVP
Macaronesia Cape Verde WCVP

Chemicals

Datura metel has 19 reported phytochemicals identified across 29 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include scopolamine, hyoscyamine, flavonoids, tannins, withanolides.

Total chemicals
19
Scientific sources
29

Most Reported Compounds

Compound Sources Confidence
scopolamine 6 ★★★☆☆
hyoscyamine 3 ★★☆☆☆
flavonoids 2 ★☆☆☆☆
tannins 2 ★☆☆☆☆
withanolides 2 ★☆☆☆☆
6-BA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Atropine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
IBA 1 ★☆☆☆☆
N-cis-feruloyltyramine 1 ★☆☆☆☆
NAA 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Activities

Datura metel has 10 reported activities identified across 12 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antioxidant, Analgesic, Anticancer, Anticholinergic.

Total activities
10
Scientific sources
12

Most Reported Activities

Activity Sources Confidence
Antibacterial 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Antioxidant 2 ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticancer 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Anticholinergic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Antispasmodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Cytotoxic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Hepatoprotective 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Narcotic 1 ★☆☆☆☆

Medicinal Uses

Datura metel has 20 reported medicinal uses identified across 20 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include Acinetobacter baumannii, Aspergillus fumigatus, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Parkinson's disease, Salmonella typhi.

Total uses
20
Scientific sources
20

Most Reported Uses

Use Sources Confidence
Acinetobacter baumannii 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Aspergillus fumigatus 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Klebsiella pneumoniae 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Parkinson's disease 1 ★☆☆☆☆
Salmonella typhi 1 ★☆☆☆☆
analgesic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antipyretic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
antispasmodic 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bradycardia 1 ★☆☆☆☆
bronchial asthma 1 ★☆☆☆☆