Devil's trumpet

Datura metel

''Datura metel'' is a shrub-like perennial herb, commonly known as devil's trumpet and metel.

''Datura metel'' grows in the wild in all the warmer parts of the world, and is cultivated worldwide for its chemical and ornamental properties. It was first described by Linnaeus in 1753, but no botanically correct illustrations or descriptions were made until after the New World was settled. It is not possible to be sure about its original home.

The plant is an annual herb growing up to 3 ft. high. It is slightly furry, with dark violet shoots and oval to broad oval leaves that are often dark violet as well. The pleasantly-scented 6-8 in. flowers are immensely varied, and can be single or double. Colors range from white to cream, yellow, red, and violet. The seed capsule is covered with numerous conical humps and a few spines. It is similar to ''D. inoxia'', but ''D. metel'' has almost glabrous leaves and fruits that are knobby, not spiny. ''D. inoxia'' is pilose all over and has a spiny fruit.
Datura Photo captured at Vaduj, Maharashtra India Pale white colour of flowers with cream coloured anthers. Datura,Datura metel,Geotagged,India,Spring,flower

Defense

All parts of ''Datura'' plants contain dangerous levels of tropane alkaloids and may be fatal if ingested by humans or other animals, including livestock and pets. In some places, it is prohibited to buy, sell or cultivate ''Datura'' plants.

''Datura metel'' may be toxic if ingested in a tiny quantity, symptomatically expressed as flushed skin, headaches, hallucinations, and possibly convulsions or even a coma. The principal toxic elements are tropane alkaloids. Accidentally ingesting even a single leaf could lead to severe side effects.

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Taxonomy
KingdomPlantae
DivisionAngiosperms
ClassEudicots
OrderSolanales
FamilySolanaceae
GenusDatura
SpeciesD. metel
Photographed in
India