found datura - Ask Extension
Hi! I found a datura plant in my vegetable garden. I removed the plant without touching it, and it did not seem as if the seed pods had opened yet (al...
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found datura #876427
Asked July 08, 2024, 7:59 PM EDT
Hi! I found a datura plant in my vegetable garden. I removed the plant without touching it, and it did not seem as if the seed pods had opened yet (although I didn't think at the time to check closely). Are the rest of the vegetables and herbs in the bed safe to eat? I feel a little paranoid asking, but also I'm pregnant and have a toddler, so want to be extra careful.
Washtenaw County Michigan
Expert Response
Hello Isabelle,
The genus Datura contains 8-12 different species. Jimsonweed, Thornapple, Moonflower, and Sacred Daturas are a few. Daturas are a 'winter annual,' which means that they bloom in the early summer and die when the weather turns cold. However, they produce a large number of seeds which lay dormant until the next spring. These seeds can stay dormant for many years. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially to animals. Take caution when removing the plants because the stems could cause skin irritation.
There isn't a food safety issue with having datura near the vegetable garden. It is only a problem if any part of the plant is ingested. However, if in doubt, don't hesitate to call Poison Control at<personal data hidden>.
Another thing, how did you identify this plant? Are you confident that this is the correct identification?
The following links are informative articles about Datura. I hope you find them helpful.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/weeds/extension/jimsonweed
https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com/tag/datura-plants/page/2/#is-datura-safe-to-plant-in-a-vegetable-garden
Have a great weekend!
The genus Datura contains 8-12 different species. Jimsonweed, Thornapple, Moonflower, and Sacred Daturas are a few. Daturas are a 'winter annual,' which means that they bloom in the early summer and die when the weather turns cold. However, they produce a large number of seeds which lay dormant until the next spring. These seeds can stay dormant for many years. All parts of the plant are toxic, especially to animals. Take caution when removing the plants because the stems could cause skin irritation.
There isn't a food safety issue with having datura near the vegetable garden. It is only a problem if any part of the plant is ingested. However, if in doubt, don't hesitate to call Poison Control at<personal data hidden>.
Another thing, how did you identify this plant? Are you confident that this is the correct identification?
The following links are informative articles about Datura. I hope you find them helpful.
https://www.canr.msu.edu/weeds/extension/jimsonweed
https://questions.gardeningknowhow.com/tag/datura-plants/page/2/#is-datura-safe-to-plant-in-a-vegetable-garden
Have a great weekend!
