672 Journal of Agriculture. [10 Nov., 1908. 



THE PROCLAIMED PLANTS OF VICTORIA. 



{Continued from page 592.) 



Alfred J. Eivart, D. Sc., Ph. D., F.L.S., Government Botanist; and 

 J. R. Tovey, Herbarium Assistant. 



The Thorn Apple. 

 Datura Stramonium, L. {Solanacecc). 



A stout erect annual often over 2 feet high, with forked branches, 

 between which or at their ends the flowers arise singly on short stalks. 

 It bears large almost triangular irregularly toothed leaves. The long 

 tubular calyx falls off after flowering, leaving a more or less prominently 

 toothed rim under the capsule, which usually splits into segments during 

 ripening. The corolla is large white or purple and with five short usually 

 yellowish points, capsule globular, .prickly, with numerous dark wrinkled 

 seeds. 



The Thorn Apple, a native of the East Indies originally, is now spread 

 over the whole globe. It appears to be spreading over Victoria, and 

 contains a highly poisonous narcotic alkaloid, Daturin. Fortunately, the 

 strong bitter taste of its leaves usually keeps stock from eating it, but this 

 very fact, and its abundant production of seed, aids the plant in spreading 

 rapidly. As an annual it can be kept under on pasture land and waste 

 places, by hoeing or pulling up before it has time to seed. If the plants 

 are at all old they should be piled and burnt on the spot to destroy the 

 seeds. On arable land, it is kept under by the ordinary process of 

 cultivation, harrowing to destroy seedlings as the seeds germinate. Care 

 should be taken to prevent any plants becoming old enough to seed, and 

 also to prevent fresh introduction with impure seed. The dark wrinkled 

 seeds are unlike those of any common cultivated plant. 



Proclaimed under the Thistle Act for the whole State, June, 1907. 



Two tobaccos, members of the same Order as the preceding, are also 

 common, but are not proclaimed. 



Nicotiana glauca, Graham. — The Tree Tobacco is a shrubby garden es- 

 cape, introduced from South America, which seems likely to become a nui- 

 sance in some of the northern districts, though of use for producing rapidly- 

 growing shelter hedges. In excess the plant is undoubtedly poisonous, though 

 moderate quantities can be eaten without serious consequences. Fortunately, 

 it is not very palatable, although, as in the case of many poisonous or 

 injurious plants, stock may acquire a morbid taste for it. The plants 

 should be dug up, piled, and burnt before flowering. Deep ploughing 

 buries any seeds present in the soil, and they soon die. 



Nicotiana suave olens, Lehm, is a similar but small native tobacco,- 

 which, like the former, is comparatively resistant to drought, also feebly 

 poisonous and apt to become a troublesome weed if allowed to spread. 



