Datura stramonium Thorn-apple

A robust and poisonous, hairless annual with large, coarsly-toothed leaves and large, trumpet-shaped, flowers which are white (or purple in var. chalybaea) and which develop spiny, chestnut-like fruits; hence the common name, Thorn-apple. It has a distinctive, somewhat unpleasant smell and most parts of the plant contain toxic tropane alkaloids (e.g. hyoscine, hyoscyamine and atropine) and also cardiac glycosides. It usually appears on nitrogen-rich soils on roadsides, tips or disturbed, waste ground late in summer, particularly in summers that have been warm. It is native to the American continent and was first recorded wild in Britain in 1777, probably introduced as seed.

Neophyte