Datura 8846 225860788 2008-07-15T19:09:59Z Drm310 2164108 Added [[Category:Solanaceae]], used wiki markup for references {{Taxobox | name = ''Datura'' | image = DaturaStramonium-plant-sm.jpg | image_width = 250px | image_caption = ''[[Datura stramonium]]'' | regnum = [[Plant]]ae | phylum = [[Flowering plant|Magnoliophyta]] | classis = [[Magnoliopsida]] | ordo = [[Solanales]] | familia = [[Solanaceae]] | genus = '''''Datura''''' | genus_authority = [[Carolus Linnaeus|L.]] | subdivision_ranks = Species | subdivision = <center>''See text below''</center> }} '''''Datura''''' is a [[genus]] of 12-15 species of [[Vespertine (biology)|vespertine]] [[flowering plant]]s belonging to the family [[Solanaceae]]. Their exact natural distribution is uncertain, due to extensive cultivation and [[naturalisation (biology)|naturalization]] throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe, but is most likely restricted to the [[Americas]], from the [[United States]] south through [[Mexico]] (where the highest species diversity occurs) to the mid-latitudes of [[South America]]. Some species are reported by some authorities to be native to [[China]], but this is not accepted by the ''Flora of China'', where the three species present are treated as introductions from the Americas. It also grows naturally throughout India and most of Australia. According to the old ayurvedic medicinal system (at least since 2000 BC) in India, this plant has versatile uses in medicinal preparations. ==Description== Datura is a woody-stalked, leafy herb growing up to 2 meters. It produces spiney seed pods and large white or purple trumpet-shaped flowers that face upward. Most parts of the plant contain [[atropine]], [[scopolamine]], and [[hyoscyamine]]. It has a long history of use both in S. America and Europe and is known for causing delirious states and poisonings in uninformed users. Common names include Jimson Weed, Hell's Bells, Devil's Weed, Devil's Cucumber, Thorn-Apple (from the spiny fruit), Pricklyburr (similarly), and somewhat paradoxically, both Angel's Trumpet and Devil's Trumpet, (from their large [[trumpet]]-shaped flowers), or as [[Nathaniel Hawthorne]] refers to it in the [[the Scarlet Letter]], Apple-Peru. The word Datura comes from [[Hindi]] Dhatūrā (thorn apple); record of this name dates back only to 1662 ([[OED]]). The Hindi derives this word from [[Sanskrit]] vedic literature that dates to long before 2000 BC{{Fact|date=August 2007}}. They are large, vigorous [[annual plant]]s or short-lived [[perennial plant]]s, growing to 1-3 m tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] are alternate, 10-20 cm long and 5-18 cm broad, with a lobed or toothed margin. The [[flower]]s are erect or spreading (not pendulous), trumpet-shaped, 5-20 cm long and 4-12 cm broad at the mouth; color varies from white to yellow, pink, and pale purple. The [[fruit]] is a spiny [[capsule (fruit)|capsule]] 4-10 cm long and 2-6 cm broad, splitting open when ripe to release the numerous [[seed]]s. ''Datura'' species are used as food plants by the [[larva]]e of some [[Lepidoptera]] ([[butterfly]] and [[moth]]) species including ''[[Hypercompe|Hypercompe indecisa]]''. ==Species== *''[[Datura affinis]]'' *''[[Datura alba]]'' *''[[Datura albidoflava]] '' *''[[Datura arborea]]'' *''[[Datura aurea]]'' *''[[Datura bernhardii]]'' *''[[Datura bojeri]]'' *''[[Datura capensis]]'' *''[[Datura carthaginensis]]'' *''[[Datura chlorantha]]'' *''[[Datura cornigera]]'' *''[[Datura cornucopia]]'' *''[[Datura cubensis]]'' *''[[Datura ceratocaula]]'' *''[[Datura discolor]]'' - Desert Thorn-apple *''[[Datura dolichocarpa]]'' *''[[Datura dubia]]'' *''[[Datura ferox]]'' - Long Spined Thorn-apple *''[[Datura fruticosa]]'' *''[[Datura gardneri]]'' *''[[Datura gigantea]]'' *''[[Datura guayaquilensis]]'' *''[[Datura humilis]]'' *''[[Datura inermis]]'' *''[[Datura inoxia]]'' or ''Datura innoxia'' - Angel's Trumpet *''[[Datura insignis]]'' *''[[Datura kymatocarpa]]'' *''[[Datura lanosa]]'' *''[[Datura leichhardtii]]'' (syn. ''D. pruinosa'') - Leichhardt's Datura *''[[Datura metel]]'' *''[[Oak-leaf Thorn-apple|Datura quercifolia]]'' - Oak-leaf Thorn-apple *''[[Datura reburra]]'' *''[[Datura suaveolens]]'' - Known in Costa Rica as "Reina de la noche" (Night's Queen) *''[[Datura stramonium]]'' (syn. ''D. inermis'') - Jimsonweed, Thorn-apple *''[[Datura wrightii]]'' - Sacred datura, Sacred Thorn-apple Some species formerly included in ''Datura'' are now classified in the separate genus ''[[Brugmansia]]''; this genus differs in being woody, making [[shrub]]s or small [[tree]]s, and in having pendulous flowers. Other related genera include ''[[Henbane|Hyoscyamus]]'' and ''[[Atropa]]''. its also used by sadhus as prayer flower for lord shiva ==Cultivation and uses== [[Image:Datura fruit.jpg|thumb|200px|Fruit]] [[Image:Datura innoxia fruit split open.jpg|thumb|right|200px|''D. inoxia'' with ripe, split-open fruit]] Datura contains the alkaloids [[scopolamine]] and [[atropine]] and has been used in some cultures as a [[poison]] and [[Psychedelics, dissociatives and deliriants|hallucinogen]].<ref> {{cite journal|title=Spirit, Mind and Body in Chumash Healing |journal=Evidence-based Complementary and Alternative Medicine |date=2005-10-10|first=James D.|last=Adams, Jr.|coauthors=Cecilia Garcia|volume=2|issue=4|pages=459–463|id= |url=http://ecam.oxfordjournals.org/cgi/content/full/2/4/459|format=|accessdate=2008-01-21 | doi = 10.1093/ecam/neh130 <!--Retrieved from Yahoo! by DOI bot-->|pmid=16322802}}</ref> The [[dose-response curve]] for the combination of alkaloids is ''very''{{Fact|date=August 2007}} steep, so people who consume datura can easily take a potentially [[death|fatal]] [[overdose]], hence its use as a poison. In the 1990s and 2000s, the United States media contained stories of [[adolescent]]s and young adults dying or becoming seriously ill from intentionally ingesting datura.<ref>{{cite web|url = http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5233a2.htm |title = Suspected Moonflower Intoxication (Ohio, 2002)| accessdate = September 30| accessyear = 2006| publisher = [[Centers for Disease Control and Prevention|CDC]]| format = HTML}}</ref> ===Records of use=== ''Datura stramonium'' is also called '''[[jimsonweed]]'''. This name comes from the town of [[Jamestown, Virginia]]. Various versions of the story exist, but in the most common version, British soldiers sent to quell [[Bacon's Rebellion]] of 1676 were accidentally served this unfamiliar plant as food, causing many to be incapacitated for 11 days. ''[[Datura wrightii]]'', also called '''sacred datura''' or '''western jimsonweed''', has similar effects. [[Chaitanya Charitamrita]], a 16th century biography of the saint [[Caitanya]] who was known for his fervent religious ecstasies, describes an incident (2.18.165, 183) where Muslim soldiers, unable to comprehend his state of trance, apprehend four of his companions on suspicion of their poisoning him with ''dhuturā'' with an aim to loot his possessions. Upon regaining consciousness, Caitanya attributes his trance episode to epilepsy. == Effects of ingestion== Due to the potent combination of [[anticholinergic]] substances it contains, Datura intoxication typically produces effects similar to that of an [[anticholinergic]] [[delirium]]: a complete inability to differentiate [[reality]] from [[fantasy]] (frank [[delirium]], as contrasted to [[hallucination]]); [[hyperthermia]]; [[tachycardia]]; bizarre, inexplicable, and possibly violent behavior; and severe [[mydriasis]] with resultant painful [[photophobia]] that can last several days. Pronounced [[amnesia]] is another commonly reported effect. According to the drug information site [[Erowid]], no other substance has received as many "Train Wreck" severely negative experience reports as has Datura<ref>http://www.erowid.org/ask/ask.php?ID=227 Erowid.org, "Ask Erowid". Retrieved 17 JAN 08</ref>, noting that "the overwhelming majority of those who describe to us their use of Datura (and to a lesser extent, Belladonna, Brugmansia and Brunfelsia) find their experiences extremely mentally and physically unpleasant and not infrequently physically dangerous." The full listing of reports can be found at [http://www.erowid.org/experiences/subs/exp_Datura.shtml www.erowid.org]. Numerous stories of datura-related deaths and critical illnesses can also be found at the Lycaeum Datura index [http://mv.lycaeum.org/mu/datura.html here]. ==Cultural references== ===In literature=== * [[Ryu Murakami]]'s novel "[[Coin Locker Babies]]", Datura is one pinnacle of the book, with its idea driving the motives of certain characters and its effects much more gruesome than reality. * [[Martin Cruz Smith]]'s novel "Nightwing" gives an excellent, if fictional account of datura usage and Hopi folklore surrounding same. [[Image:Datura wrightii flower.jpg|thumb|right|The distinctive datura flower]] * [[Jean M. Auel]] described use of datura in her ''[[Earth's Children]]'' series: In ''[[The Clan of the Cave Bear]]'', the clan share a retrocognitive vision under influence of datura. In ''[[The Plains of Passage]]'' Ayla uses datura as an [[analgesic]] and [[sedative]]. * In [[Paul Theroux]]'s 2005 novel ''[[Blinding Light]]'', a writer becomes addicted to a rare species of datura. Under its influence he is blind, but inspired, transcendently aware, and megalomaniacal. * Datura is the plant given to pacify the mentally handicapped brother in [[William Faulkner]]'s ''[[The Sound and the Fury]]''. * Datura is explained in [[Wade Davis]]'s ''[[The Serpent and the Rainbow]]'' to be a critically important hallucinogen in a series of toxins and cultural practices that produce [[zombie]]s, administered at the time of retrieval from the grave as an antidote to previously administered [[tetrodotoxin]]. * The use of datura as a poison is mentioned in the novel ''[[The Eiger Sanction]]'' by [[Trevanian]]. * Datura is a key [[entheogen]] in ''[[The Teachings of Don Juan: A Yaqui Way of Knowledge]]'' by [[Carlos Castaneda]] * In the novel ''The Sundial'' by [[Maarten 't Hart]], datura is used twice as a poison. * ''[[Cape Cod (essay)|Cape Cod]]'' by [[Thoreau]] contains a quote from Beverly's ''History of Virginia'' describing the effects of datura usage. *In [[Hunter S. Thompson]]'s ''[[Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas]]'', Dr. Gonzo refers to a time he got sick from eating a large quantity of danfest's and Jimson's weed (in the section "A Terrible Experience with Extremely Dangerous Drugs"). *Datura as a psychoactive substance is featured in [[Leena Krohn]]'s novel that has the Finnish name ''Datura tai harha jonka jokainen näkee''; the novel has been translated at least to [[German language|German]], under the name ''Stechapfel''. *A discarded datura root grows into a tree over the abandoned boiler in Chapter 8 of [[John Steinbeck]]'s "[[Cannery Row]]". *Datura is the name of the evil woman who kidnaps Odd's friend in the book "Forever Odd" by Dean Koontz. He also refers to the actual tree in the same book, hence the relation between the two. *Datura paste is used by the "witch woman" Nightshade to stun and pacify an evil Anastasi ruler in Micahel & Kathleen Gear's novel People of the Moon (2005) *In [[The Labours of Hercules]] by [[Agatha Christie]], datura is used to attempt to drive Hugh Chandler insane, in the chaper titled "The Creten Bull" *In the autobiography of [[Gerald Taylor]] titled "Jesus Weed" he is given a combination of drugs from a druid, one of which is datura. *Rudyard Kipling - use of datura (in bread) as a poison in The Jungle Book ===In music=== * Datura (modinated to) "Datora" the name of a progressive hardcore metal band of Derby, England * Datura is the name of a New Zealand [[stoner rock]] band, mainly active between 1993 and 1999. * Datura Seeds is the name of a garage psych band from Indianapolis, Indiana, USA, active from the late 1980s to early 1990s. * Indian pop musician [[Kailash Kher]] mentioned Datura in the song Bam Lahiri / Babam Bam from his latest album [[Jhoomo Re]]. * Singer/songwriter [[Tori Amos]] penned a [[trance music|trance]] song entitled "Dãtura" for her 1999 album ''[[To Venus and Back]]''. The song features Amos reading a list of various plants that are growing in her garden over hypnotic [[piano]] and rhythms. She consistently mentions datura within the list, as if to indicate it is overgrowing and destroying her garden. <ref>''Attitude'' (UK) - November 1999</ref> * Emcee [[MF Doom]] has a song of looped beats entitled "Datura Stramonium" from Volume 0 of his "Special Herbs' series. * In the opera [[Lakmé]] by [[Léo Delibes]], Lakmé dies after eating datura leaves. * ''[http://www.datura.it/ Datura]'' is also the name of an Italian [[Techno music|techno]]/trance group formed 1991 in [[Bologna]] by the musicians [[Ciro Pagano]] and [[Stefano Mazzavillani]] and the DJs Ricci & Cirillo. One of their biggest hit singles ''[http://www.discogs.com/release/85735 Yerba Del Diablo]'' ("Devil's weed") also pays reference to the plant. *The band [[Murder by Death (band)|Murder By Death]] mentions datura in their song "Killbot 2000" from their album "Who Will Survive and What Will be Left of Them." *The [[psychedelic rock]] band [[Bardo Pond]] named a song "Datura" in its album "Set and Setting". Many other Bardo Pond album and song titles have been derived from the names of esoteric psychedelic substances. * The guitarist [[Buckethead]] named a song "Datura" in his album "Electric Tears". *Icelandic hard rock/stoner band takes its name from this plant(spelling it in Hindi, though "[[Dhaturah]]"), claiming that the plant has influenced its songwriting. In the song "The Devil is a Nice Guy" the singer/actor/keyboardist Kjartan describes his experience when he was strung out on [[Devil's weed]] and spent two days in the Icelandic Kárahnjúkar writing songs and chatting with the devil" * The Australian [[psychedelic rock]] band [[Grey Daturas]] takes its name from the plant. * American metal band [[Acid Bath]] wrote a song called "Pagan Love Song" about an experience with Angel Trumpet use.<ref>[http://www.angelfire.com/band/acidbathwithin/facts.html Acid Bath Facts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> * The band [http://www.myspace.com/ddm/ Dane and the Death Machine's] album [http://www.myspace.com/DDMThanatron/ Thanatron] has a track entitled "Datura". * Argentine band Babasonicos mentions datura in their song named Esther Narcotica. ===In film=== * In the movie [[XXX (movie)|XXX]] the darts used to knock out Xander ([[Vin Diesel]]) and that he later uses to appear to kill an undercover policeman are referred to as 'Datura knockout darts' by their creator. * A horror film by director [[Johnny Terris]] entitled 'Inside Inoxia' is based upon his personal experiences with Datura. *Datura is one of the ingredients in 'zombie powder' in the movie Serpent and the Rainbow. ===In games=== *In [[The X-Files: Resist or Serve]], ''Datura stramonium'' is used by [[Agent Dana Scully]] to create a dart that "kills" zombies instantly. *In [[Might and Magic VIII: Day of the Destroyer]], ''Datura'' is an ingredient that is used for creating potions. *In [[Tsukihime]], [[Kohaku_(Tsukihime)|Kohaku]] has a garden of ''Datura'' flowers that are used to create sedatives and hallucinogens. *In [[Corpse Killer]], datura-coated bullets are one of the ammunition choices available to the players. ==References== {{reflist}} ==External links== *[http://content.herbalgram.org/abc/herbalgram/articleview.asp?a=2930 JimsonWeed: History, Perceptions, Traditional Uses, and Potential Therapeutic Benefits of the Genus Datura HerbalGram. 2006;69:40-50 © American Botanical Council by Kofi Busia & Fiona Heckels] *[http://www.gulf-daily-news.com/story.asp?Article=206059&Sn=BNEW&IssueID=30304] *[http://www.wanamey.org tratamientos Datura - Floripondio] *[http://www.ars-grin.gov/cgi-bin/npgs/html/splist.pl?3415 Germplasm Resources Information Network: ''Datura''] *[http://plants.usda.gov/java/profile?symbol=DATUR USDA Plant Profile: ''Datura''] *[http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=109368 Flora of China: ''Datura''] *[http://www.bmj.org/cgi/content/full/321/7255/219 Account of accidental minor poisoning by Datura] from the [[British Medical Journal]] *[http://www.erowid.org/plants/datura/datura.shtml Erowid Datura Vault] *[http://www.b-and-t-world-seeds.com/Datura.htm ''Datura'' and ''Brugmansia'' species as Sacred Plants and Medicines] *[http://www.maripoisoncenter.com/images/pdfs/ctrs/CTR%20Datura%20Plant%20Poisoning.pdf Clinical Toxicology Review of Datura Poisoning] *[http://www.blackturtle.us/DV_PLANTS/DATURA/index.html Jimsonweed pictures and description at blackturtle.us] *[http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fo6ekBEXGLQ Humorous song and discussion at YouTube: Moonflower] Fischer, Louis Gandhi USA 1954 [[Category:Deliriants]] [[Category:Entheogens]] [[Category:Herbal and fungal hallucinogens]] [[Category:Solanaceae]] [[Category:Datura| ]] [[da:Pigæble]] [[de:Stechäpfel]] [[es:Datura]] [[fr:Datura]] [[it:Datura]] [[he:דטורה]] [[lt:Durnaropė]] [[nl:Datura]] [[ja:チョウセンアサガオ属]] [[pl:Bieluń]] [[pt:Datura]] [[ro:Datura]] [[ru:Дурман]] [[sq:Datura]] [[sv:Spikklubbor]] [[ur:دھتورہ]] [[zh:曼佗罗]]