Purple Datura, Devil’s Trumpet, Horn of Plenty, Downy Thorn Apple

Datura metel

duh-TOO-ruh MET-el

Synonyms of Datura metel (49) (Updated on 12-26-23): Brugmansia chlorantha (Hook.) Melliss (1875), Brugmansia suaveolens var. flore-albo-pleno Reider (1830)(contrary to Art. 23.6. (ICN, 2012)), Brugmansia waymanii Paxton (1838), Datura aegyptiaca Vis. (1836), Datura alba F.Muell. (1868)(nom. illeg.), Datura alba var. africana Mattei (1908), Datura bojeri Delile (1836), Datura carthaginensis Voss (1894)(pro syn.), Datura chlorantha Hook. (1859), Datura chlorantha atroviolacea-plenissima Barr & Sugden (1866), Datura cornucopaea Wilks (1894), Datura cornucopia Pitcher & Manda (1893), Datura dubia Rich. (1805), Datura dubia Bianca ex Tod. (1858), Datura fastuosa L. (1759), Datura fastuosa var. alba Bernh. (1827), Datura fastuosa var. flaviflora O.E.Schulz ex O.C.Schmidt (1933), Datura fastuosa var. glabra Bernh. (1827), Datura fastuosa var. parviflora Nees (1834), Datura fastuosa var. rubra Bernh. (1827), Datura fastuosa var. tuberculata Bernh. (1827), Datura fruticosa Hornem. (1813), Datura humilis Desf. (1829), Datura hummatu Bernh. (1833)(nom. superfl.), Datura hummatu var. fastuosa (L.) Bernh. (1833), Datura hummatu var. muricata (Link) Bernh. (1833), Datura hummatu var. rubra Bernh. (1833), Datura laevis Schkuhr (1791), Datura metel var. dentata Schltdl. & Cham. (1830), Datura metel var. fastuosa (L.) Saff. (1921), Datura metel var. flaviflora (O.E.Schulz) Moldenke (1943), Datura metel var. muricata (Link) Danert (1954), Datura metel var. obscura Danert (1954), Datura metel f. pleniflora O.Deg. (1934), Datura metel var. rubra (Bernh.) Danert (1954), Datura metel var. viola Pandeya & A.B.Bhatt (1989)(no Latin descr. or type), Datura muricata Link (1821), Datura nanakii Pandeya & A.B.Bhatt (1989), Datura nigra Hassk. (1844), Datura nilhummatu Dunal (1852), Datura timoriensis Zipp. ex Span. (1841), Datura trapezia Nees (1834), Datura waymanii (Paxton) Steud. (1840), Stramonium datura Noronha (1790)(nom. nud.), Stramonium fastuosum (L.) Moench (1794), Stramonium infernale Noronha (1790)(nom. nud.)

Datura metel L. is the accepted name of this species of Datura. The genus and species were named and described as such by Carl von Linnaeus in the first volume of the first edition of Species Plantarum in 1753. 

As of 12-26-23 when this page was last updated, Plants of the World Online lists 14 accepted species in the Datura genus. It is a member of the plant family Solanaceae with 101 genera. Those numbers could change as updates are made on POWO.

THERE ARE SEVERAL LINKS AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE FOR FURTHER READING.

I had three Datura metel plants grown from seed in the spring of 2009. I kept them in pots until I gave them away when I moved to Missouri in February 2013. I didn’t realize it, but the Jimson Weed growing in the pasture is also a Datura (Datura stramonium), also known as Loco Weed. Different species of Datura grow in many parts of the world…

I must admit, for such a poisonous plant, the flowers are incredible. The funny thing is that I didn’t have to keep them in pots at all. They are probably a perennial in Leland, Mississippi but I am not 100% sure. They are hardy in USDA Zones 9a-11. They started flowering by mid-summer and continued even after I put them in the house for the winter. They do make good houseplants, but you have to keep them away from children and pets as they are highly poisonous. Always wash your hands after you handle them…

 

The tallest, on the left, was 38″ when this photo was taken. The middle plant measured 32″ and the smallest on the right measured 28″ tall. I was very proud of them and thought their flowers were AWESOME! I kept them inside during the winter as if I was living in Alaska.

BASIC CULTURAL INFORMATION:

The Datura metel is native to Southwestern China. They are perennial in USDA Zones 9-10 and everywhere else they can easily be grown indoors through the winter. They prefer full sun but I grew mine in part shade. If you grow them in the ground, they prefer rich, well-drained soil with regular watering. If you grow from seed, start them 6-8 weeks before the last frost date. As they grow you will need to provide some support because they do have a tendency to sprawl a bit.

Apparently, they do come in a variety of colors including white, yellow, lilac, and dark purple. Some websites say the flowers only last one night, but I find that not to be true. One reputable website says the bud opens in the evening and lasts only until noon the next day. Even though it has been a few years since I had mine, I just don’t believe mine lasted only a few hours.

SURPRISE, SURPRISE!

I was doing some yard work for a lady in Leland, Mississippi in November 2016. I came around the corner of her house in the backyard with the mower and stopped dead in my tracks. I was standing there stunned like I was frozen… I could not believe what I saw.

That is just ONE PLANT! Here I had kept mine in pots overwinter in the sunroom. I asked her about the plant and she said she didn’t know where it came from. It just came up in the spring and she left it to see what it would do. I guess she found out!!! I was happy to have just a few flowers from mine so I couldn’t hardly believe my eyes! This photo was taken in the afternoon and the flowers are still open and looking good.

I wanted to try them here in Missouri because I know they will be just fine. I battle Jimson Weed in the pasture, though, so maybe that is enough Datura for this country boy.

I hope you enjoyed this page and maybe found it useful. I would like to hear from you if you have any comments, questions, or suggestions. Please click on “like” if you visited this page. It helps us bloggers stay motivated. 🙂 You can check out the links below for further reading. The links take you directly to the genus and species of this plant. If you notice I made an error, please let me know.

FOR FURTHER READING:
PLANTS OF THE WORLD ONLINE (GENUS/SPECIES)
WIKIPEDIA (GENUS/SPECIES)
MISSOURI BOTANICAL GARDEN
DAVE’S GARDEN
GARDENING KNOW HOW
ENTHEOLOGY.COM
NORTH CAROLINA STATE UNIVERSITY