Seed Availability

Seeds are not available for the Thorn Apple. Please visit our seed store to view current selections.

Description

Low lying, short-lived perennial, usually only growing 1-3ft in height, but may spread out several feet. To continue blooming, unripe fruits should be cut off (this also stops the plant from becoming a pest). This species is closely related to, and sometime confused with or incorporated into Datura stramonium - jimson weed. D. inoxia tends to be even more poisonous than jimson weed.

Hardiness

The thorn apple is very hardy, and will survive outdoors pretty much anywhere in the United States, except for extreme winter areas.

Growing Environment

Grows in pretty much any soil type, will survive droughts and isn't picky about climate.

Propagation

Plants grow readily from seeds and the plant can become weedy if left unchecked.

Uses

The thorn apple is usually planted as an ornamental, but in many areas in can become weedy if unchecked. Historically the plant was used for medicinal purposes but all parts of this plant are highly poisonous (it is sometimes labeled as the most poisonous plant on Earth, although this is subjective). No part of this plant should ever be injested.

Native Range

There is confusion about its true native range, its may be native to either Asia or parts of Central or South America. In either case, the thorn apple now grows practically all over the globe.

Additional Pictures

Related Species

Solanaceae
	Acnistus arborescens Wild Tobacco		Brugmansia arborea Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia aurea Golden Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia candida White Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia sanguinea Red Angel's Trumpet		Brugmansia suaveolens Angel's Trumpet
	Brugmansia versicolor Orange Angel's Trumpet		Capsicum caballeroi Capsicum caballeroi
	Capsicum exile Cobincho Pepper		Capsicum eximium Capsicum eximium
	Capsicum flexuosum Capsicum flexuosum		Capsicum galapagoense Galapagos Island Pepper
	Capsicum praetermissum Cumari		Capsicum rhomboideum Capsicum rhomboideum
	Cyphomandra abutiloides Dwarf Tamarillo		Cyphomandra betacea Tree Tomato
	Datura inoxia Thorn Apple		Datura metel Double Purple Datura
	Iochroma australe (Acnistus australis) Mini Angel's Trumpet		Iochroma cyaneum Violet Churcu
	Iochroma fuchsioides Red Iochroma		Iochroma grandiflora Giant Iochroma
	Jaltomata procumbens Jaltomato		Lycopersicon melanocarpa Lycopersicon melanocarpa
	Lycopersicon skorospelka Lycopersicon skorospelka		Nicotiana glauca Tree Tobacco
	Physalis alkekengi Chinese Lantern		Physalis angulata Mullaca
	Physalis costomatl Cotztomatl		Physalis ixocarpa Tomatillo
	Physalis minima Sunberry		Physalis peruviana Cape Gooseberry
	Physalis pruinosa Ground Cherry		Solanum aviculare Kangaroo Apple
	Solanum burbankii Wonderberry		Solanum caripense Tzimbalo
	Solanum chessmanii Galapagos Island Tomato		Solanum dulcamara Bittersweet
	Solanum hispidum Giant Devil's Fig		Solanum lycocarpum Fruit for Wolves
	Solanum macrocarpon Gbogname		Solanum mammosum Nipple Fruit
	Solanum melanocerasum Garden Huckleberry		Solanum muricatum Pepino
	Solanum pseudolulo Pseudolulo		Solanum quitoense Naranjilla
	Solanum sessiliflorum Cocona		Solanum uporo Cannibal's Tomato
	Withania somnifera Ashwagandha