Thornapple contamination of Spinach
Thornapple (Datura stramonium) is a poisonous flowering plant of the nightshade family Solanaceae. It grows yearly in gardens, along roadsides, and other uncultivated and farmed land. Thornapple is native to Central America and was imported to Australia in the early 19th century as a garden plant.
How tall does a thorn apple grow? How can I identify a thornapple?
Thornapple is a herb that grows into a bush that can be 1–1.5 m tall. The leaves are either oval or widely triangular and sharply pointed. The leaves have a light green underside and a dark green top. When crushed, the leaves have a bad odour. The trumpet-shaped flowers are white to purple and have five lobes that narrow to a thin point. The fruit is an egg-shaped capsule covered in various-length spines. Thornapples develop rapidly, flower from summer through autumn, and typically die in the autumn.
Uses for thornapple
Thornapple is a plant with both poisonous and medicinal properties and has been shown to have pharmacological potential. Thornapple has been shown to contain alkaloids, tannins, carbohydrates and proteins. Studies showed that its leaves, applied after roasting, are useful in relieving pain and encouraging the healing process.
The seed of thornapple is medicinally the most active. It is also used to relax the smooth muscle of the bronchial tube and asthmatic bronchial spasm. In ancient cultures, it was used as a hallucinogenic drug. Note, thornapple is poisonous and consuming it is dangerous. It is not recommended to try even small amounts.
The Effects of thornapple poisoning on the human body
Thornapple is a poisonous plant that should not be consumed in any form, especially the seeds. Children are especially susceptible to thornapple poisoning. It has toxins called topane alkaloids that can make you very sick or even kill you. The effects of eating the thornapple plant include hallucinations, vomiting, dilated pupils, high fever, and weak or quick pulse. Some people may have headaches, nausea, and rashes after just touching the plant.
The Effect of thornapple poisoning on animals
Thornapple is also dangerous to livestock, dogs, and other pets. Although livestock often avoids it, most cases of livestock poisoning are caused by thornapple in their feed. Animal signs include low body temperature, breathing difficulty, a dry mouth, and a sluggish or rapid heartbeat.
Related species of Datura stramonium
The related species of Datura stramonium are Datura ferox, Datura inoxia, Datura leichherdtii, Datura metal and Datura wrightii. All these species differ only because of the shape of capsules, the number and length of spines on capsules and the position of capsules.
Control of throne apple weed
You can get rid of thornapple by using herbicides, mulching, slashing, pulling it out by hand, or chipping it. To get rid of the plants, pull them out. Make sure to get as much root as possible, or the plants might grow back. Cutting the plant before seeding is the best way to control it since seeds have been viable for years. However, plants that have produced seeds should not be discarded as part of the green wate collection and either buried at a depth of more than 60 cm or burned to prevent the spreading. Wear gloves or wash your hands well after touching this plant.
To suffocate this weed, use an opaque sheet such as woven polypropylene or organic mulch at least 5 cm thick.
Australian spinach crops and thornapple
Recent reports indicate that at least 190 people in four Australian states have experienced hallucinations, blurred vision, and confusion. After the investigation, Riviera Farms and Victoria Health determined that thornapple, a weed, had accidentally been gathered and packed with the Australian spinach. As a result, it has been shown that thornapple was the source of the illness.
How did thornapple get into spinach?
These weeds thrive in warm, temperate, and subtropical climates with good soil, therefore they are frequently found along rivers, roadside edges and in agricultural areas where they compete with summer crops. Tim Entwistle, the director of the Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria, said that the high amount of rain this year probably helped the weed spread.
More information on weed control
9 Toxic Plants to avoid for pet friendly gardens
Melbourne Garden Weed Prevention
Government of Western Australia Agriculture and Food
