Datura
Datura, commonly known as Jimsonweed or Thorn Apple, is a genus of highly toxic perennial herbs in the Solanaceae family. Renowned for its trumpet-shaped flowers, it contains potent tropane alkaloids. While historically used in traditional medicine and rituals, its extreme toxicity makes it dangerous and potentially fatal if misused.
- Scientific name: Datura
- 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.
| 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 specific presence across several regions within Northern Europe. In Denmark, it can be found growing in various local habitats. It is also distributed across Great Britain, establishing itself in the landscape. The plant extends its range further to include the island of Ireland. Finally, its northern distribution reaches into Norway and Sweden.
| Region | Area | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Northern Europe | Denmark | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Great Britain | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Ireland | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Norway | WCVP |
| Northern Europe | Sweden | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Austria | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Belgium | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Czechia-Slovakia | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Germany | WCVP |
| Middle Europe | Hungary | WCVP |
Chemicals
Datura has 9 reported phytochemicals identified across 16 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include scopolamine, hyoscyamine, atropine, cardiac glycosides, datumetine.
- Total chemicals
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 16
Most Reported Compounds
| Compound | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| scopolamine | 5 | ★★★☆☆ |
| hyoscyamine | 3 | ★★☆☆☆ |
| atropine | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| cardiac glycosides | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| datumetine | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| daturaolone | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| flavonoids | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| tannins | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| withametelin | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Activities
Datura has 2 reported activities identified across 2 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Mitogenic, Psychoactive.
- Total activities
- 2
- Scientific sources
- 2
Most Reported Activities
| Activity | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| Mitogenic | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| Psychoactive | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
Medicinal Uses
Datura has 9 reported medicinal uses identified across 10 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include asthma, abscesses, boils, gout, neurological disorders.
- Total uses
- 9
- Scientific sources
- 10
Most Reported Uses
| Use | Sources | Confidence |
|---|---|---|
| asthma | 2 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| abscesses | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| boils | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| gout | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| neurological disorders | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| osmotic stress | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| pain | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| rheumatism | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |
| wounds | 1 | ★☆☆☆☆ |