Jimsonweed - Natural Biodiversity

Impacts:
Jimsonweed is a very
toxic plant. Most animals
will stay away from it
because of its foul odor.
However, goats have
been known to eat the
plant, resulting in slow
deaths from poisonings.
This plant is on the
Pennsylvania Noxious
Weed List, meaning it is
illegal to cultivate in the
state of Pennsylvania. All
parts of this plant are
considered toxic.
BioBullies
Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
*It is illegal to propagate,
sell or transport this
plant within the
Commonwealth.
Suspected Means of
Introduction:
Jimsonweed was
introduced from Europe
and was detected in
Jamestown, Virginia,
giving it the nickname
“Jamestown weed”.
Description: Jimsonweed is an annual plant that grows erect, and
reaching heights of 5 feet. The flowers are trumpet or funnel shaped
ranging from white to purple. They are also said to open and close in
the evening hours, giving it the nickname “moonflower”. The fruits are
approximately the size of a walnut, egg-shaped, and covered in
prickles. When cut open, they split into four chambers, each with
kidney shaped seeds. The leaves of the plant are large and irregularly
toothed, with larger-looking lobed leaves, that resemble oak leaves.
The plant gives off a strong, distinctive odor that may ward off animals.
BioBullies
Native Range:
Jimsonweed is argued
to have originated from
India or Central
America, some saying
China then introduced
in to Europe before
making its way to the
U.S.
Jimsonweed
Datura stramonium
Resources for
Identification and
Control of
Jimsonweed
Weed of the Week - USDA
Forest Service
Plant Profile Database USDA
Invasive.org
University of GA, US Forest
Service, USDA APHIS
PA Invasive Exotic Plant
Fact Sheet - DCNR
Noxious Weed Fact Sheet
PA Dept. of Agriculture
Habitat: Jimsonweed can grow in
most habitats but prefers
nutrient-rich soils along road
ways, sand dunes and places
other weeds grow. It can be
found in most of the U.S. and is
tolerant of temperatures of both
the southern and northern
habitats. However , it thrives in
the southern U.S., where it was
originally found.
Biology: Jimsonweed cultivates
by the seeds growing from the
Natural Biodiversity
www.naturalbiodiversity.org
pods at the top of the plant. With
adequate moisture, seedlings
produce from mid-May to
mid
-June.
Control Methods: Jimsonweed
can be controlled by destroying
the seed source. Treating it like
other weeds, jimsonweed can be
mowed or cut to remove existing
populations. Some herbicides
can be used if the growth of the
population is harder to control.
538 Park Avenue
Johnstown, PA 15902
e-mail: NBD_Staff@naturalbiodiversity.org