Family: Solanaceae
Compound: Dat wri
Synonyms: Datura innoxia var. quinquecuspidata
Geographic Origin: Much of southern North America including northern MX
Characteristics: Perennial from enlarged roots. Herbaceous above ground growth dies back in winter and returns in spring. Leaves are large, ovate in shape, and margins vary between entire, dentate and lobed. Leaves and stems have fine hairs and produce an odorous substance which some people liken to the smell of peanut butter. Flowers are large ~5in (13cm), white to purple tinged, and trumpet shaped. They open at night and stay open into the morning. After pollination, a round, spikey fruit forms, turns brown, and splits open releasing many small brown seeds. Fruits are typically ~1.5in (3.8cm) in diameter, but may be smaller if plants experienced drought during development. This plant is famously toxic.
Natural History: Grows between 4000-6000ft (1220-1850m) in a variety of habitats from low desert to pinyon juniper woodlands. It often grows along washes or along roads where it receives more water.
Cultivation Notes: Sometimes available in native plant nurseries. Easily grown from seed. Seeds should be lightly raked into soil and kept moist in summer. The plant may appear to die in the fall or early winter but will come back from the roots in the spring. Despite its toxicity, it makes a great choice for a pollinator garden or native landscape due to its large attractive leaves and flowers.
For plant propagation information, click here
Ethnobotany: Most famous for its narcotic properties, it was used for various ceremonies and is extremely toxic and dangerous if used incorrectly. It was also used as a disinfectant, bone setting ointment and venomous animal bite treatment.
Citations:
SEINet Arizona - New Mexico Chapter
https://swbiodiversity.org/seinet/taxa/index.php?taxon=Datura+wrightii&formsubmit=Search+Terms
US Forest Service
https://www.fs.usda.gov/wildflowers/beauty/Sky_Islands/plants/Datura_wrightii/index.shtml
Calscape
https://calscape.org/Datura-wrightii-(Sacred-Datura)