Bitterroot Restoration

Order: Solanales
Family: Solanaceae
Common name: Dhutura, Kalo dhutra(Beng.); Datura, Thornapple, Jimson weed(Eng.).
Life cycle: Perennial/Annual
Native Range: Native to India and southeast Asia.

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 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.

Datura metel is mainly used in traditional Chinese medicine as a treatment for asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic pain, seizures, and coma. It has also been used for its anesthetic, or pain-killing, properties.