Datura [starmonium, innoxia Mill., and metel]
Nightshade Intoxicating Hallucinogen
Location: All Around the World
Datura grows all over the world. It looks different depending upon its native region. In many warm temperatures of both hemispheres, Datura innoxia can be found growing as a perennial of up to 3 feet in height, with sweet-smelling white 10-point corolla flowers. Datura metel is found in parts of Asia and Africa, being extremely relevant in the Old World of medicine and hallucinegic plant use. This version of the plant has a purple-like hue and the circular, ovate-like flowers appear almost as though they are melting. This is one of the more prominently used species when it comes to hallucinogenic plant use. Datura stramonium, aka “Thorn Apple”, is native to all tropical and warm regions around the world. There is a famous story of too much Thorn Apple being consumed in Jamestown Virginia, poisoning most of the struggling colony.
There are a lot of species of Datura, some of them are more hallucinogenic than others. Some are more poisonous than others. There are historical notes of traditional use of the Datura plant throughout many cultures around the world in shamanism and rituals. There are some reports of recreational use as well. Like many of the nightshade family, it can be rather dangerous and when too much is consumed serious illness or even death can ensue.
Many types of Datura contain hallucinogenic tropane alkaloids, including hyosyamine, scopolamine, and someatropine.
