Datura stramonium L., Solanaceae

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Present on Pacific Islands?  yes

Threat only at high elevations?  no

Risk assessment results:  Evaluate, score: 5 (Go to the risk assessment)

Common name(s): [more details]

English: datura, jimson weed, moonflower, purple thorn-apple, thorn apple

French: datura stramoine, herbe des taupes, pomme épineuse

Hawaiian: kīkānia, kīkānia haole, lā‘au hānō

Hindi: hurhur

Japanese: shirobana-chosen-assgao

Spanish: chamico, chamico azul, datura manzana, estramonio, manzana espinosa, peo de fraile, tapa, tapete, toloache

Habit:  herb

Description:  "Stout, malodorous, erect annual herbs; stems branched above, glabrous or sparsely pubescent with simple hairs.  Leaves simple, rhomboid to angularly ovate, in juvenile phase large and coarse, later leaves often 8-16 cm long, 4-10 cm wide, margins coarsely doubly lobed, apex acute to acuminate, base oblique, rarely equal, petioles 3-11 cm long.  Flowers solitary in stem forks, peduncles 6-10 mm long, pedicels stout, 7-20 mm long; calyx angularly tubular, 5-lobed, 3-4.5 cm long, the lobes 0.6-0.8 cm long; corolla white or tinged lavender, 5-lobed, the lobes rounded, 6-9 cm long, separated by sinuses and terminated by a pointed tip; stamens 5; anthers white or purple, 3-4 mm long, opening by slits; ovary 2-celled; style 4-5.5 cm long; stigma 2.5 mm long, 2 mm wide, included.  Capsules erect, narrowly ovoid to ovoid, 2.5-4 cm long, 2-3 cm wide, opening by 4 valves when ripe, the valves 6-10 mm long, covered with numerous conical spines of various lengths, the persistent calyx base 4-10 mm long, reflexed, margins irregular.  Seeds numerous, black or dark brownish gray, angularly D-shaped, 3-4 mm long, coarsely pitted, embryo curved, endosperm present"  (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1257).

Habitat/ecology:  "The weed requires disturbed sites for establishment and thus is found on cultivated land, in animal camps, barnyards, on roadsides, and in areas laid waste by man's activities.  It prefers rich soil and plentiful rainfall but can survive in sandy pastures and many such difficult places" (Holm et al., 1997; p. 275).

"Usually in disturbed soil along trails and roadsides or at margins of cultivated fields and in abandoned agricultural land; from Transition to Miconia zones in the Galápagos Islands" (Wiggins & Porter, 1971; p. 464-465). In Hawai‘i, "naturalized in dry, disturbed sites, 0-690 m" (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1257).  In Fiji, "sparingly naturalized near sea level as a weed of waste places and canefields"  (Smith, 1991; p. 32).

Propagation:  Seed.  "It is spread in agricultural seedstocks, in field grains, in the packed soil on the wheels and frames of farm machinery, and in the mud that clings to the fur and feathers of animals.  Capsules and seeds can float for 10 hours" (Holm et al., 1997; p. 275). "Seeds long-lived with 91% germination after 39 years of burial"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Native range:  North America (Wagner et al., 1999; p. 1257).

Presence:

Pacific
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced	Pickard, J. (1984) (p. 208)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Lord Howe Island	Lord Howe Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 21) "Naturalised and occasional". Vouchers cited: J.L. Boorman (NSW), J.D. McComish 145 (NSW)
Australia (Pacific offshore islands) Norfolk Islands	Norfolk Island	introduced invasive	Orchard, Anthony E., ed. (1994) (p. 10) "Naturalised and occasional". Vouchers cited: W.R. Sykes 784/87 (CHR), W.R. Sykes NI 182 (CHR)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Floreana Group	Floreana Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. stramonium'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Alcedo	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Alcedo	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Cerro Azul	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Cerro Azul	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Isabela Group	Volcan Sierra Negra	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. stramonium'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) San Cristóbal Group	San Cristóbal Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santa Cruz Group	Santa Cruz Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. stramonium'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santiago Group	Santiago Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santiago Group	Santiago Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. stramonium'
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Santiago Group	Santiago Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005)
Ecuador (Galápagos Islands) Wolf Islands	Wolf Island	introduced invasive cultivated	Charles Darwin Research Station (2005) infraspecific: 'var. tatula'
Fiji Fiji Islands	Ovalau Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 32-33) Voucher cited: Seemann 348 Sparingly naturalized.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Vanua Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 32-33) Voucher cited: Greenwood 686 Sparingly naturalized.
Fiji Fiji Islands	Viti Levu Island	introduced invasive	Smith, Albert C. (1991) (pp. 32-33) Voucher cited: DA 8989 Sparingly naturalized.
French Polynesia Society Islands	Tahiti Island		Fosberg, F. R. (1997) (p. 142)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Hawai‘i (Big) Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1257)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Kaua‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1257)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Maui Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1257)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	Moloka‘i Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1257)
State of Hawaii Hawaiian Islands	O‘ahu Island	introduced invasive	Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. (1999) (p. 1257)
New Caledonia Îles Chesterfield	Îles Chesterfield	introduced	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 130) Voucher cited: Godard in Veillon 6454
New Caledonia New Caledonia	New Caledonia Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 91)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	Tassin, Jacques (2005)
New Caledonia New Caledonia Archipelago	Île Grande Terre	introduced invasive	MacKee, H. S. (1994) (p. 130) Vouchers cited: Cherrier in MacKee 36067, Thomas in MacKee 38698 Spontané
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced	Sykes, W. R. (1977) (pp. 141-142)
New Zealand (offshore islands) Kermadec Islands	Raoul Island	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 1124) "Very occasional on Raoul Island".
Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)	Papua New Guinea (eastern New Guinea Island)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Philippines Philippine Islands	Philippine Islands		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Tonga Tonga Islands	Tonga Islands		Swarbrick, John T. (1997) (p. 91)
Tonga Vava‘u Group	Vava‘u Island	introduced	Yuncker, T. G. (1959) (p. 240) Infrequent. Cited: Crosby.

Pacific Rim
Country/Terr./St. & Island group	Location	Cited status & Cited as invasive & Cited as cultivated & Cited as aboriginal introduction?	Reference & Comments
Australia Australia (continental)	New South Wales		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Australia Australia (continental)	Northern Territory		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Australia Australia (continental)	Queensland		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Chile (continental) Chile	Chile (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
China China	China (People's Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Colombia Colombia	Colombia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Costa Rica Costa Rica	Costa Rica (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. (1979) (pp. 120-121)
Ecuador (Mainland) Ecuador	Ecuador (Republic of) (continental)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Guatemala Guatemala	Guatemala (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 283)
Honduras Honduras	Honduras (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 283)
Indonesia Indonesia	Indonesia (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Japan Japan	Japan (country)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
South Korea South Korea	South Korea (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Mexico Mexico	Mexico (United Mexican States)	native	U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. (2007) Probably native
New Zealand New Zealand	New Zealand (country)	introduced invasive	Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. (1988) (p. 1124) "Waste places such as roadsides, building sites, old gardens, as well as cultivated ground, sometimes abundant on recently disturbed ground but often only as isolated plants".
Perú Perú	Perú (Republic of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Taiwan Taiwan	Taiwan Island		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)
Thailand Thailand	Thailand (Kingdom of)		Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James (1997) (p. 273)

Control: 

Physical:  "Isolated plants can be manually removed before fruiting.  Larger infestation in arable lands can be cultivated prior to seed set"  (Motooka et al., 2003)..

Chemical:  "Effective pre-emergence herbicides are atrazine or dicamba.  Seedlings and larger plants can be sprayed with dicamba, 2,4-D or bromoxyril"  (Weber, 2003; p. 137).  "Young plants susceptible to hormone-type herbicides and glyphosate and to soil-applied tebuthiuron.  Also sensitive to metsulfuron"  (Motooka et al., 2003).

Additional information:  Information from the book "Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide" (Motooka et al., 2003). (PDF format).

Additional online information about Datura stramonium is available from the Hawaiian Ecosystems at Risk project (HEAR).

Taxonomic information about Datura stramonium may be available from the Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN).

References:

Charles Darwin Research Station. 2005. CDRS Herbarium records.

Fosberg, F. R. 1997. Preliminary checklist of the flowering plants and ferns of the Society Islands. Ed. by David R. Stoddart. U. Cal. Berkeley.

Holm, Leroy/Doll, Jerry/Holm, Eric/Pancho, Jaun/Herberger, James. 1997. World weeds: natural histories and distribution. John Wiley & Sons. 1129 pp.

Holm, Leroy/Pancho, Juan V./Herberger, James P./Plucknett, Donald L. 1979. A geographical atlas of world weeds. John Wiley & Sons, New York. 391 pp.

MacKee, H. S. 1994. Catalogue des plantes introduites et cultivées en Nouvelle-Calédonie. Muséum National d'Histoire Naturelle, Paris, 164 p.

Motooka, Philip/Castro, Luisa/Nelson, Duane/ Nagai, Guy/Ching, Lincoln. 2003. Weeds of Hawaii‘s Pastures and Natural Areas; An Identification and Management Guide. College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources, University of Hawaii at Manoa. 184 pp.

Orchard, Anthony E., ed. 1994. Flora of Australia. Vol. 49, Oceanic islands 1. Australian Government Publishing Service, Canberra.

Pickard, J. 1984. Exotic plants on Lord Howe Island: Distribution in space and time, 1853-1981. J. of Biogeography 11:181-208.

Smith, Albert C. 1991. Flora Vitiensis nova: a new flora of Fiji. National Tropical Botanical Garden, Lawai, Kauai, Hawaii. Volume 5. 626 pp.

Swarbrick, John T. 1997. Weeds of the Pacific Islands. Technical paper no. 209. South Pacific Commission, Noumea, New Caledonia. 124 pp.

Sykes, W. R. 1977. Kermadec Islands flora: an annotated checklist. New Zealand Department of Scientific and Industrial Research Bulletin 219, Wellington. 216 pp.

Tassin, Jacques. 2005. Jacques Tassin (IAC-CIRAD), personal communication.

U.S. Dept. Agr., Agr. Res. Serv. 2007. National Genetic Resources Program. Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN). Online searchable database.

Wagner, Warren L./Herbst, Derral R./Sohmer, S. H. 1999. Manual of the flowering plants of Hawaii. Revised edition. Bernice P. Bishop Museum special publication. University of Hawai‘i Press/Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 1919 pp. (two volumes).

Webb, C. J./Sykes, W. R./Garnock-Jones, P. J. 1988. Flora of New Zealand, Volume IV: Naturalised pteridophytes, gymnosperms, dicotyledons. Botany Division, DSIR, Christchurch. 1365 pp.

Weber, Ewald. 2003. Invasive plants of the World. CABI Publishing, CAB International, Wallingford, UK. 548 pp.

Wiggins, I. L./Porter, D. M. 1971. Flora of the Galapágos Islands. Stanford University Press. 998 pp.

Yuncker, T. G. 1959. Plants of Tonga. Bishop Museum Bull. 220. Bishop Museum Press, Honolulu. 343 pp.