822 



THE FARMERS HANDBOOK. 



Thorn Apple or False Castor Oil Plant {Datura Stramonium Linn.). 



Throughout the greater part of New South Wales the common name of 

 this weed is Castor Oil Plant, and it is greatly confused with the True 

 Castor Oil Plant (Rieinvs communis). It is a somewhat succulent, bright 

 green, heavy -smelling herb of 2 or 3 feet high, growing in waste places. The 

 leaves are rather large, irregularly cut or toothed, and paler on the underside. 

 The flowers are large, white, and are usually described as trumpet-shaped. 

 The fruit (the " prickly pod " of farmers) is rather large, much rougher than 

 a nutmeg grater, and sheds a large number of black, kidney-shaped seeds,, 

 which have little dots over them. 



It appears to be poisonous to stock in some cases, and in certain instances 

 animals have eaten it without any ill effects. The seeds are poisonous to- 

 human beings when eaten. 



It is now widely diffused in New South Wales, as is shown by the- 

 f olio wing information as to the shires and municipalities in which it has- 

 been declared to be noxious. 



Shires. 



Wiser than we, Victoria has long since proclaimed it for the whole State; 



