Medical staff in the Ross Memorial Hospital’s Emergency Department is warning the public of the dangers of a local plant after a patient presented with problems associated with jimsonweed poisoning.

Jimsonweed grows in local flower beds, and features a large, white or purple, trumpet-shaped flower. This time of year, the plant grows a seed pod, which is walnut-sized, green and prickly. Inside are dozens of black seeds. The seeds are becoming increasingly popular among teenagers, because they’re hallucinogenic when ingested. However, taking too many seeds can lead to seizures, coma and death. 

Symptoms of jimsonweed poisoning include extreme thirst, headaches, nausea, fever, high blood pressure, difficulty swallowing and speaking, blurred vision, sensitivity to light, hyperthermia (heat stroke), confusion, agitation, combative behaviour and hallucinations. These effects can occur within 30 to 60 minutes after ingestion and can continue for up to two days. 

All parts of the jimsonweed are poisonous. Even breathing of the fragrance from jimsonweed flowers can produce mild symptoms, and less than 5 grams of leaves or seeds eaten by a child can be fatal. There is no antidote. Treatment includes pumping one’s stomach and administering charcoal to absorb the poison.

Other common names of the jimsonweed are thorn-apple, angel’s trumpet, devil’s trumpet, locoweed, Jamestown weed, mad apple, stink weed, tolguacha, and gypsum weed. It’s botanical name is Datura stramonium.