DESCRIPTIVE LIST OP FLOWERS. 187 



DATURA. THORN APPLE. 



[Name said to be from the Arabic.] 



Datura Stramonium, Thorn apple, so called in allusion 

 to the capsule, which is as large as a small hen's egg ; 

 ovate, and thickly covered with thorns. The poisonous 

 qualities of this plant, as well as its application in medi- 

 cine, are well known. As a remedy in asthma, it has ac- 

 quired great reputation. In some parts of the country it 

 is known by the name of Jamestown or Jimson weed. I 

 have heard of a case where a child was poisoned in con- 

 sequence of eating one seed. Professor Martyn observes, 

 that in the earth brought with plants from any part of 

 America, we are sure to have the Thorn-apple come up. 

 The whole plant has a disagreeable smell. Eveiy part of 

 the plant is poisonous, bringing on delirium tremens, etc. 

 The flowers are funnel shaped, with a long tube, five an- 

 gled ; either light purple or white. I describe it here as 

 a warning to beware of the plant, and not for its beauty, 

 as it is a disgusting weed growing abundantly in rubbish. 

 Some of the genus are beautiful and worthy a place in the 

 flower-garden; but all are poisonous. This species has 

 very large handsome flowers, pure white. 



D. ({uercifolia, is one of the finest.- It has very large 

 white flowers, measuring five inches across the mouth ; 

 the nerves of a fine pink, shaded with purple. The fruit 

 contained in a smooth capsule, and the leaf is somewhat 

 like the oak ( Quercus^) whence its name. The manner of 

 growth is very elegant ; and as each succeeding blossom 

 burst through its fine calyx, we have thought it more 

 beautiful than its predecessor. We can truly recommend 

 this as an ornament to the garden. 



D. ceratocaulon, or Horn-stalked Datura. This is a 

 highly ornamental and showy species, with large white 

 flowers, shaded with pink, full as large as the last. 



