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| Figure 70.—Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) |
Habitat and range.—This is a very common weed in fields and waste places almost everywhere in the United States except in the North and West.
Description.—Jimson weed is an ill-smelling, poisonous plant with stout, much-branched, leafy stems from 2 to 5 feet high. The large, smooth, thin, wavy, toothed leaves are from 3 to 8 inches long. The flowers, which appear from May to September, are white, funnel-shaped, about 3 inches long, and have a pronounced odor. The prickly seed pods which follow are about the size of a horsechestnut. When ripe these pods burst open, scattering numerous poisonous black, kidney-shaped seeds.
Part used.—The leaves, collected when the plant is in flower, and the seeds.