Datura wrightii
Family: Solanaceae
Plant Description: Erect branching herb from a perennial rootstock, up to 1.5 meters high. Leaves ovate, alternate, to 15 centimeters long. Flowers fragrant, opening at night or on cloudy days; corollas white, trumpet-shaped, 15 cm or longer. Fruit globose, prickly capsules about 3 centimeters broad. Leaves are broad and rounded at he base tapering to a point, often with wavy margins
Plant Trivia: Leaves and seeds contain alkaloids which are narcotic and usually poisonous (true of many members of the Solanaceae family). D. wrightii was named in honor of Charles Wright, one of the best-known American botanists in the 19th century. Internationally, this plant is considered an invasive species; however, it is not listed as so in Texas.
Field Identification: The large, fragrant, trumpet-shaped flowers are and rich in nectar and contain toxic alkaloids.
Occurrence: Native of Southwestern United States and Northwestern Mexico. Used for landscaping, bird and butterfly gardens; some escaped seeds have germinated in the wild in our region. All parts of th;is plant are highly toxic
Bloom Period: March-November
Plant Use: The night-blooming flowers are pollinated by sphinx moths (Hawk Moth).
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