Datura wrightii

Names and Synonyms

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across several regions of Europe. Within Southwestern Europe, it can be found in France and Spain. Its presence extends to the Mediterranean islands of Corse and Sardegna. Additionally, the species is documented in Southeastern Europe, specifically in Greece. These locations represent the known range for this particular medicinal plant.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Life history

The life history of Datura wrightii is characterized by an annual lifecycle, meaning the plant completes its entire developmental sequence from germination to seed production within a single growing season. As an annual, its biological strategy focuses on rapid growth and prolific seed dispersal to ensure the survival of the next generation before the onset of unfavorable environmental conditions. Following germination, typically triggered by seasonal rainfall, the plant undergoes a period of vegetative development, establishing a robust stem and large, deeply lobed leaves. This is followed by a reproductive phase where it produces large, trumpet-shaped flowers that are critical for attracting nocturnal pollinators like hawkmoths. Once pollination is successful, the plant transitions into fruit development, producing spiny capsules containing numerous seeds. The life cycle concludes when the plant senesces and dies, leaving behind a seed bank in the soil that awaits the necessary moisture and temperature cues to begin the cycle anew.

Lifecycle :

annual

Morphology

The morphology of Datura wrightii is characterized by its growth form as a non-woody herb, specifically classified as a forb. It is a self-supporting plant that does not function as a climber, growing independently as a non-parasitic organism. The plant is terrestrial in nature, lacking aquatic or epiphytic tendencies. In terms of stature, it typically reaches a minimum plant height of 0.3 m, with a maximum height extending up to 1.2 m.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

herb

Growth form :

forb

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

non-woody

Physiology

The physiology of Datura wrightii is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and carbon fixation strategies within its ecological niche. The vegetative development of the plant is closely tied to its leaf morphology, where the foliage exhibits significant dimensional variability. The leaves typically range in length from a minimum of 5 cm to a maximum of 16 cm, while their width varies between 4 cm and 10 cm. These morphological parameters reflect the plant's capacity for light interception and gas exchange, supporting its growth through standard C3 metabolism.

Leaf length max:

16 cm

Leaf length min:

5 cm

Leaf width max:

10 cm

Leaf width min:

4 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Datura wrightii is characterized by a flexible flowering period that can occur throughout the entire year, spanning from December through November, though the timing is often variable depending on environmental conditions. The plant produces fruit in the form of a capsule, which is a dehiscence-type fruit, meaning it splits open at maturity to release its contents. Within these capsules, the seeds exhibit specific morphological variations in weight; the individual seed mass typically ranges from a minimum of 0.0138 g to a maximum of 0.06114 g, with an average seed mass of approximately 0.03747 g.

Dehiscence :

dehiscent

Flowering time :

Dec

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

0.06114 g

Seed mass mean:

0.03747 g

Seed mass min:

0.0138 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Datura wrightii has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Flower

1. American journal of ophthalmology

Conditions

Datura wrightii has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Mydriasis.

Mydriasis

1. American journal of ophthalmology