Datura - is it worth growing a beautiful, useful in folk medicine, but poisonous flower in the countryside?

• November 20, 2018
• Wild plants
• Lyudmila Storozhenko

Datura grass is a rather controversial plant. On the one hand, it is known for the beauty of its flowering, but on the other, gardeners are afraid to grow it on their site. This is a poisonous plant, which in ancient times was used by shamans for various rituals and communication with spirits. Nowadays, Datura is also known as a medicinal plant. If you follow the precautionary rules during the growing process, you can decorate the landscape design of your site with this unusual flower.

Description

Many people have heard about such a plant as dope. However, not everyone knows what this flower looks like (photo below).

Datura is a perennial evergreen shrub of herbaceous type. It loves warm climates, so it grows in tropical and subtropical climates. However, in our country this plant is successfully cultivated by gardeners. In the wild, Datura prefers to grow in mountainous and steppe areas. In our climate zone, the flower is grown as an annual plant.

The description of the Datura herb should be considered in more detail. The stems of the plant can be lodging or erect. Their length is 50-120 cm. The plant feeds on a cream-colored taproot. The stem is hollow, tubular, covered with reddish or dark green bark. Over time, the base of the shoots becomes woody and acquires a brown-red color.

The leaves of the plant are large, oblong, with jagged edges. Each of them grows on a long petiole. The length of the leaves reaches 15 cm, width - 10 cm. A light stripe runs along the central vein. The leaves are dense, leathery, and have a smooth surface. The reverse side is light.

Considering the description of what Datura grass looks like, it is also worth noting that the flowering of this plant deserves special attention. It is precisely for the beauty of its buds that it has become so widespread, and is also called “angel’s pipe”, “moon flower”, “bleached”. However, due to its toxicity, the flower also receives other names, for example, “crazy grass”, “drunk cucumber” and even “devil’s grass”.

Kinds

In biology, there are 13 species of dope, and each of them is poisonous. The concentration of toxic substances is related to the season and place of growth. There are regular, double and semi-double species. The following became widespread on the European continent:

• Datura common, which grows in the wild as a weed. Due to its small flowers, it has little decorative value and is not found in cultivated plantings.
• Indian is a branched bush with large leaves and a woody trunk. Popular due to many hybrid varieties - Ballerina, Flore Pleno.

  
  Indian

• Strong-barreled.

  Strong-barreled

• Datura indica or harmless with gray-green leaves and white flowers is cultivated only for medicinal purposes due to its increased toxicity.

Flowering and fruits

What does Datura grass look like? When one remembers this plant, the image that comes to mind is not of green foliage, but of beautiful large buds. They are the ones who force gardeners to pay attention to this crop. Flowering lasts from June until the first frost.

Single buds are formed in the leaf axils. They can also grow on stem forks. The inflorescence funnel consists of 5 sectors. The length of the flower can reach 25 cm, but more often the plant blooms buds 12-16 cm long. If the bush is dense, the large buds blooming on it look gorgeous. Datura will become a real decoration of any flower bed. You just need to immediately warn your guests that touching this plant with your hands is strictly not recommended.

The colors of the inflorescences may vary. Most often it is white. However, there are buds in pink, yellow, purple and lilac shades. The shape of the flowers may vary depending on the variety. It can be simple, resembling a bell with fused petals. In some species, the buds, when blooming, demonstrate a complex spiral-shaped structure of graceful petals.

Knowing what the datura herb looks like, we can assume that the smell of the blooming flowers is as enchanting as their appearance. However, some species have no aroma at all. If the buds emit a scent, it will be very sweet, but pleasant. The vibes spread by Datura are quite intense. They spread throughout the garden, creating an indescribable, enchanting atmosphere.

Datura is a night flower. It opens its buds at sunset. Early in the morning the flowers close. If the weather outside is cloudy, Datura can open its buds during the day, spreading its pleasant aroma into the environment.

Datura grass seeds appear from large fruits that look like oblong boxes. They are covered with dark green skin. The top layer of the seed pods is dense, covered with thorns, like a chestnut. Inside the fruits are divided into 4 compartments. They contain black seeds of the datura herb. They can be round or kidney-shaped, reaching a length of 3.5 mm. The flower begins to bear fruit from the beginning of July.

Growing at home

How to transplant

Datura is a fast-growing plant. That is why while the bush is young, it has to be replanted regularly, and it is recommended to gradually increase the size of the container. In the first year of growth, the bush may require several transplants because it will grow in size very quickly. Experts advise trying to replant the plant when young leaves appear before the intensive growth phase begins. If an adult Datura bush is very large, then instead of replanting it, it is recommended to replace the top layer of soil mixture in the container with a new substrate.

Transplanting such a crop should be done very carefully, resorting to the transshipment method. The fact is that it reacts extremely painfully to injury to the root system and recovers for a long time after that. That is why you should pull the bush out of the pot together with a lump of earth, while trying not to destroy it. A container suitable for growing dope must have large holes at the bottom for drainage. The bush, taken together with a lump of earth, is placed in the middle of the new pot, and then all that remains is to fill all the voids with a new soil mixture. Compact the surface of the substrate, making sure that there are no air pockets left. Water the transplanted plant with plenty of water so that the lump of soil in the pot is completely wet. After some time, drain the excess liquid that has accumulated there from the pan. After the plant is watered, the substrate may sag significantly. In this case, you will need to add the required amount of soil mixture to the pot.

Features of flowering

The flowering period of dope lasts quite a long time. It starts in March and ends in November. In order for the bush to bloom continuously and luxuriantly, it is necessary to remove flowers that have begun to fade in time. If Datura grows in the garden, then its flowering ends with the onset of the first frost.

Temperature

In spring, summer and autumn, this crop develops normally and grows at a temperature characteristic of living rooms. In winter, when Datura has a dormant period, it is recommended to move it to a place where the air temperature will remain at 10 to 12 degrees.

Even slight frosts can destroy this plant. When the temperature drops to 6–8 degrees, it can already suffer serious damage. But this flower tolerates heat very well, so on hot summer days it will feel quite comfortable.

Illumination

The optimal place for this flower is one that is very well lit, but at the same time protected from direct sunlight. In winter, it is at rest, and all its processes slow down. Therefore, at this time it is recommended to move the plant to a cool, shaded place. However, with the onset of spring, immediately after the start of active growth, it should be moved to its original place.

Trimming

In order for the bush to grow lush and spectacular, it is necessary to systematically pinch the tops of the shoots while the plant is young. Thanks to this, young side shoots will actively form. Timely pruning stimulates more luxuriant flowering, because the formation of buds occurs on young shoots. When flowering is over, the side shoots are greatly shortened (by 2/3 of their length).

Features of care

In winter, some of the foliage of the datura may fly off, but in the spring it will grow back. In spring and summer, it is recommended to move the bush to fresh air. In this case, you should choose a place for it that will be protected from precipitation, strong gusts of wind and scorching direct rays of the sun. It is highly not recommended to place the plant in places where it can easily be touched (corridor, passage, etc.). The fact is that even a light touch can cause injury to shoots or foliage. But the most important thing is that dope juice contains strong poison! To protect a tall bush from injury, it is recommended to tie it to a support.

Datura (brugmansia) in the house in winter. (1 hour)

Suitable soil

A soil mixture suitable for growing dope must be loose, fertile and well-permeable to water and air. Its pH may be slightly alkaline or neutral. You can add a little lime or wood ash to the soil mixture, which will also become an excellent fertilizer for the plant.

Top dressing

The plant needs fertilizers throughout the growing season, and fertilizing is carried out once every 7 days. Since this is a fast-growing plant, it needs a considerable amount of nutrients. In spring, it is recommended to feed the bush with fertilizers with a high nitrogen content. But at the end of spring or at the beginning of summer, phosphate fertilizers begin to be added to the soil mixture, thanks to which the flowering of dope will be lush and long-lasting.

Before adding a nutrient solution to the soil, the flower should be well watered with clean water. Otherwise, burns may form on the roots. To feed dope, you can use both organic matter and complex mineral fertilizer. In winter, the bush is not fertilized. They begin to feed it again only after, with the onset of spring, new shoots and leaves begin to grow.

Watering

Make sure that the soil mixture is always slightly moist. However, during cool wintering, dope is watered less frequently and less abundantly. Remember that stagnation of liquid in the substrate during the cold season can cause the development of rot. However, over-drying of the earthen coma should also not be allowed. Particular attention should be paid to watering during the period of intensive growth and flowering. At this time, watering should be regular and quite abundant.

The water temperature for irrigation should be close to room temperature. The flower can be watered with tap water, and no additional cleaning or settling is required. Many flower growers are sure that thanks to watering with hard water, the bush blooms more luxuriantly.

During cool wintering, water the bush rarely, preventing the lump of earth in the pot from completely drying out. Slightly drooping leaves will indicate that it needs to be watered.

Air humidity

The bush needs regular moistening from a sprayer, and water is used at room temperature. Moisten it in the morning, because if the moisture does not have time to evaporate from the foliage before night, this can cause the plant to rot. When spraying the bush, make sure that water does not get on the buds and petals.

To increase air humidity, moistened sphagnum moss can be placed around the pot. You can also place a working humidifier in the room where the flower is located. You can also place several plants next to each other, in which case they themselves will increase the level of air humidity.

During a cool winter, the air humidity should be low, otherwise it can lead to the development of fungal diseases and rotting.

Please note that the room where the bush is located should be systematically ventilated, while protecting it from cold drafts. Do not place the bush near the air conditioner in the summer, and near an open window in the winter.

Historical reference

There are many places in the world where Datura grass grows. This is a very common plant. Its history is ancient, dating back hundreds, even thousands of years. It is impossible to accurately determine the homeland of this plant. Many peoples and civilizations had legends associated with this mystical flower.

Researchers find the first mentions of dope in legends of America, Europe, Asia and Africa. According to one version, this plant was brought by Columbus sailors. The second version claims that Datura seeds were once found by gypsies wandering in the steppes of the Caspian Sea. They took the plant all over the world.

However, these are just legends. There is no documentary evidence for them. Most likely, the seeds of the plant were distributed throughout the world by healers who used the healing properties of Datura to treat various diseases.

History knows that the flower was often used in mystical rituals by representatives of different nationalities. Among the Aztecs, datura was considered a sacred plant. It was used by priests to induce hallucinations to communicate with spirits. The Aztecs sacrificed seed pods to the gods. The Indians also performed witchcraft rituals using Datura.

But in medieval China this plant was actively used to treat various diseases. Today, these qualities of Datura are also known to people. It is used in the treatment of various diseases.

In India, the dancers of the Shiva temple were given wine with dope. Thus they plunged into ecstasy. In the Middle Ages in Europe, there was an opinion that sorcerers used Datura to prepare ointments. This potion allowed them to fly on a broom. The history of this plant goes back to antiquity. What qualities Datura really has will be discussed further.

Datura grass: myths and reality.

author Butova A., photo Donna McDonald Bailey

Considering medicinal plants in general, one cannot help but be surprised at their diversity. Almost every blade of grass, branch-leaf, top-root has brought invaluable benefits to people for thousands of years and centuries, helping to restore health. There are plants whose benefits are known to almost everyone - for example, chamomile, plantain, linden, calendula. But there are also those, looking at which most of us are not even aware of their medicinal value.

Of all the variety of medicinal plants, in a special row are those whose magical halo very often obscures their practical benefits, forcing ordinary people to fear them and their effect on humans. I want to tell you about one of the types of such medicinal plants, shrouded in a haze of ancient secrets and legends.

This wonderful plant is Datura , or Datura .

Datura is one of the most interesting plant species with pharmacological properties. Having a reputation as one of the most powerful hallucinogens, Datura was, however, widely used in both the Old and New Worlds. It continues to be used today - both in folk and homeopathic and classical medicine.

Datura belongs to the nightshade family, which includes a total of about 2.5 thousand species. This includes plants with strong narcotic properties such as mandrake, belladonna, henbane and tobacco.

Botanists rightly call the nightshade family paradoxical, since it includes ordinary edible plants (potatoes, tomatoes, eggplants, sweet and hot peppers), and beautiful decorative and fragrant flowers and vines, lovingly bred by gardeners around the world, and those plants which were mentioned above - containing the strongest narcotic alkaloids.

Datura is divided into four main types:

• Datura stramonium - common datura ;
• Datura innoxia - Indian datura , or harmless datura ;
• Datura metel - Indian datura ;
• Datura ceratocaula.

Although, in fairness, it must be said that botanists still cannot settle on a general classification of dope and determine the exact number of their species. It has also not yet been established in what place this or that species originated.

Most scientists agree that the homeland of Datura is Mexico and Central America, and that these plants were brought to Europe along with other representatives of the nightshade family (tomatoes, potatoes, tobacco, peppers). Other sources claim that the homeland of datura is the Caspian steppes, from where the plants spread to Africa and East Asia, and were brought to Europe by gypsies in the Middle Ages. This confusion occurs because for many centuries people have used Datura, actively traded and exchanged it, taking it around the world. Therefore, it is now impossible to say where this plant appeared and where it was first cultivated. Datura is found in Asia, Europe, America, Africa and even Australia. Where is its true homeland, and where was it brought, and the plant easily took root in foreign soil? Disputes among scientists continue to this day.

One thing is certain: datura has always played a significant role in human civilization; they have been cultivated on the Asian and American continents for more than 3,000 years. For centuries, from the hemispheres of the rounded dope fruit, people have extracted sacred seeds that have the power to cause visions, and in moments of illness - to alleviate suffering, pacifying pain.

Datura, especially Datura vulgare, is an unpretentious plant, often found along roadsides and wastelands. Datura seeds are distinguished by rare endurance; they do not lose their germination capacity for decades. Scientists have described a case where Datura seeds showed 90 percent germination after storage for almost forty years.

But the most mysterious and magical aura has always been surrounded by the Indian dope, or datura blizzard. Legends surrounding this amazing plant are found in all regions of its habitat.

There is a beautiful Indian legend that tells about the amazing origin of the aneglakia - datura, one of the most sacred plants of those places: “In ancient times, there lived a boy and a girl, a brother and a sister. The boy's name was Aneglakia, and the girl's name was Aneglakiatsitsa. They lived in the very depths of the earth, but often went out into the outside world and walked, trying to see, hear and learn as much as possible. Then they told their mother about everything they saw and heard. These constant stories did not please the twin sons of the Sun God, who were unpleasantly surprised by such curiosity and awareness of their brother and sister. Once, having met a boy and a girl on Earth, the twin gods asked them: “How are you living?” “We are very happy,” the children answered. And they said that they knew how to send sleep to people, causing amazing visions. And sometimes they give people the ability to recognize the location of missing or stolen things in their dreams. Hearing all this, the twin gods concluded that Aneglakia and Anegdakiatsitsa knew too much to visit the outside world, and that they should be expelled from here forever. They ordered the brother and sister to disappear into the ground forever. But then, right there, in this very place, two flowers rose, exactly the same as the brother and sister used to decorate people’s heads to give them visions. In memory of the brother and sister, the gods named the flower “aneglakia”. From these first plants many children were born, who spread throughout the Earth to bring visions to many people. Some of the flowers were painted yellow, others were blue, others were red, and some remained white; color was their main distinguishing feature. But all the plants brought upon people an amazing dream, full of magical visions.”

The Aztecs used Datura, which they called ololluqui , in the treatment of almost all diseases, including even paralysis, and also as part of an ointment used to treat wounds and cuts. The narcotic effect of the plant was also used by Aztec sorcerers to unite people spiritually, inducing collective visions, causing people to laugh, cry, dance or prophesy. Datura seeds were considered sacred; they were placed on altars or in special sacred boxes, which were presented as gifts to Aztec deities.

Almost all Indian tribes of Central and South America used this plant, adding it to special drinks used during ritual ceremonies, initiation and witchcraft. Datura was also a very popular folk medicine. Using its anesthetic effect, healers used datura to drink during primitive surgical operations, sometimes even performing craniotomies.

In the Caribbean islands, datura was also used as a magical plant. Here it was known as “herbe aux sorciers” - the herb of sorcerers and “concombre-zombi” - zombie cucumber . These names indicate the area of ​​​​use of dope - zombies. The victims of such practices were usually criminals who were not subject to other punishments. Then they were turned into zombies. A strong extract of fish poison (d-tubucucurine) was added to a strong herbal decoction, in which datura was one of the main components, and then the resulting drink was given to the criminal to drink. The effect of this potion on a person was to put the person into a state of pseudo-coma with a complete lack of physical and mental sensitivity. In this state, all reflexes were completely absent, and there was also no consciousness.

The zombie was declared dead, he was placed in a coffin with holes drilled for air access and buried in a grave with full observance of the funeral ceremony. Three days later, the coffin was dug out of the ground and the zombie was given another portion of drink prepared from datura to initiate his “life after life.” In this state, the zombie was completely subservient and acted in accordance with the role that the sorcerer instilled in him. A daily added dose of datura maintained such a person in a state of constant hypnosis. The victim's soul was literally squeezed out of the body, the zombie completely lost the sense of himself and his identity in the world around him.

On the other side of the globe, in China the plant was also considered sacred. The Chinese believed that Buddha received his sacred sermons from heaven, from where they fell in the form of raindrops and remained as dewdrops on the petals of Datura. According to Taoist legend, it is believed that white datura (Datura alba) is a flower of one of the polar stars, whose messengers can always be recognized among other people, since they carry flowers of this plant in their hands.

The Chinese botanist Li Shi-Chen in the 16th century describes the medical use of one of the varieties of datura - Man-to-lo-hua: a medicine was prepared from flowers and seeds, which was used externally for rashes on the face, and was also prescribed for internal use for chills, nervous disorders and other diseases. Its narcotic properties were also known to the Chinese. Datura added to wine along with cannabis was used as anesthesia for minor surgical operations.

Li Shi-Chen, who experimented on himself, describes: “It is traditionally believed that if a person laughed while collecting these flowers, then the drink into which they are added will cause a desire to laugh; flowers that were picked while weeping, when consumed, will make you want to cry, and if the people who collected the plants danced, then drinking will make you want to start dancing. I have found that the desires that arise in a person in a state of intoxication from Man-to-lo-hua can be transferred to him by other people.”

In India, known for its unique theosophy, they believed that the datura sprout grows from the chest of the god Shiva; This plant was also called the tassel that decorates Shiva's headdress. Temple dancers drank wine with crushed Datura seeds and, when the poison was completely dissolved in their blood, fell into a state of obsession. They gave answers to all the questions asked of them, without understanding who was asking them and why. And when the state of drug intoxication passed, the women did not remember anything about what happened. For this reason, ordinary Indians called this plant “drunkard”, “madman”, “grass of fools”.

Datura was also considered sacred by followers of the cult of Kali, the Hindu goddess of death and destruction. The followers of this cult, known as tagi, or "stranglers", made a drug from the leaves of Datura, with which they dulled the consciousness of people, and then kidnapped them and sacrificed them to their sinister goddess.

Sidhas and yogis smoked datura leaves and seeds, mixing it with ganya, another plant dedicated to Shiva. The combination of these two plants illustrated the dualism (androgyny) of the nature of the god: Datura represented the masculine principle, while ganya expressed the feminine essence. The fruit, consisting of two halves, symbolized dualism. Being the god of Fire, Shiva transforms the power of his sacred plants into the cosmic sexual energy of the Universe, and the Kundalini snake, which had been sleeping until then, curled up in the area of ​​the first chakra at the base of the spine, wakes up. Wriggling, it carries divine energy throughout the body, permeating all the chakras, until the yogi’s consciousness unites with the cosmic consciousness, in which all opposites merge into one.

In accordance with this symbolism, Datura flowers hold a strong reputation as a powerful aphrodisiac.

There is evidence that crushed datura metel seeds, mixed with wine or other drinks, have long been used in India as an aphrodisiac, and mixed with oil and applied externally to the genital area, cured impotence. Such drugs were worth their weight in gold.

Datura was also used in Indian medicine for mental disorders, various fevers, swelling, skin diseases, burning in the chest, and diarrhea. The sacred thorny fruits of datura are still often used to decorate the altars of ancient gods in the mountains of Tibet.

In the rest of Asia, datura blizzard has also been used in folk medicine and as a poison. Today, crushed seeds or crushed leaves of this plant, mixed with cannabis, are widely used for smoking in Indonesia.

In medieval Europe, the so-called witches, of whom there were many in those days, made their “magic” ointments by adding juice and crushed parts of belladonna and datura. By rubbing these ointments into their bodies, the sorceresses were subjected to narcotic effects, during which some of them felt a feeling of flight, while others felt a sense of love ecstasy with Satan himself during the Sabbaths.

And in our enlightened times, in the books of Carlos Castaneda, this plant is mentioned, called “the devil’s grass”; it is often used by the sorcerer don Juan to achieve the effect of flight. The old brujo (sorcerer) himself never particularly favored the “devil’s grass,” saying that it was like a woman. He told his students: “...It (the grass) is strong and seems to be a reliable ally, but I personally don’t like something about it. It perverts the minds of people, giving them too quickly a taste of power without strengthening their hearts, and, in the midst of the sensation of its amazing power, suddenly makes them weak and weak-willed, dependent and unpredictable.”

Shamans in many countries of the world have used and continue to use mixtures of Datura in their rituals to facilitate the exit of their astral double from the physical body and the transition to another dimension to communicate with gods and spirits, for prophecies and clairvoyance.

The earliest scientific description of Datura was made by the great Arab physician Avicenna in the 11th century; he describes the datura under the name “juzmatal” - “blizzard nuts”. The specific name of the plant (“blizzard”) was taken from this Arabic source. And the generic name of the plant (“datura”) was used in Latin transcription by Carl Linnaeus based on the Sanskrit name “dhatura” or “dutra”. The English botanist Gerard found a mention of Datura in the Greek author Theocratus, who calls it hippomania - a herb that causes madness in horses. Also, the Greek author believed that Datura was used in Ancient Greece by the priests of Apollo when entering a trance during prophecies.

What is this amazing plant from a scientific point of view? The main value of Datura for medicine is its alkaloids, which belong to the class of tropines. These are atropine, scopolamine, hyoscyamine and hyoscine; and the whole group is united under the name stramonines or daturines. They are present in varying concentrations in all parts of the plant; their number increases at night and decreases during the day, as well as during the rainy season. The chemical composition is one part of the steroid daturasterol and the tricyclic diterpene daturabietarien, which are isolated from the stem bark of Datura metel along with beta-sitosterol and atropine. One of the pharmacological properties of alkaloids is an antispasmodic effect on the pulmonary muscles; they affect the internal secretion organs, reducing the amount of mucus secreted in the lungs. The combination of these properties makes datura an ideal anti-asthmatic remedy.

The old-fashioned way of dealing with respiratory diseases is still used in some countries by inhaling drugs containing scopolamine and atropine.

The alkaloid daturine is widely used to dilate the pupil during ophthalmological examinations and in cycloplegia. It also acts on the nervous system as a stimulant, while hyoscine is a strong depressant.

Atropine is used to relieve depression, and together with morphine and hyoscine it is an antidote for poisoning with highly toxic phosphates and nerve gases.

The natural drug hyoscine is used to relieve pain and relieve pain during childbirth. Datura preparations are also used as a prophylactic against tetanus and rabies.

In folk medicine, Datura alkaloids are used in the treatment of edema, asthma, bronchitis, fever, lumbago, ear pain, rheumatism, gout, colic, intestinal parasitic infestations and intractable skin diseases (including leprosy).

However, you should always remember that atropine, scopolamine and hyoscyamine are powerful psychotropic substances that can not only cause severe damage to physical and mental health, but even kill a physically strong adult.

Therefore, any experiments on oneself are extremely undesirable, and they are strictly contraindicated for people with any type of heart disease. The effect of poisoning with these alkaloids is manifested in a stimulating effect on the central nervous system and, at the same time, in the inhibition of peripheral nerves. Symptoms of poisoning include increased heart rate, dry mucous membranes, dry cough, and possible seizures. At the initial stage of exposure, agitation (sometimes manifested in the form of incoherent speech and causeless laughter), forgetfulness, and a lethargic state are observed, which turns into repeated periods of activity. Vivid hallucinations and delusions also appear. In some cases, attacks of extreme rage and destructive behavior occur. Periods of excitement are usually followed by long, deep sleep, accompanied by vivid dreams and hallucinations, often of sexual content. After waking up, you experience a hangover syndrome and a total loss of memory - the feeling that everything happened to another person.

In cases of datura poisoning, first aid should be to try to induce vomiting and perform intestinal lavage. Charcoal powder can be given for detoxification. And immediately call an ambulance!

Tracing the long history of the use of dope by humans, one involuntarily asks the question: how did people learn to use it safely? One possible answer is animal observation. Tribal communities of people who lived in unity with nature observed various animals and the effect that datura had on them. People copied the behavior of animals, using the same plants to achieve a hallucinogenic effect.

Modern scientists have observed how moths, saturated with the nectar of nightshades blooming at night, lost their orientation; however, the butterflies continued to return to these plants again and again to obtain the next dose of the drug.

Hummingbirds also use datura and, after ingesting the narcotic nectar, randomly flap their wings like drunk people, and then fall into a stupor and lie as if dead for several hours.

Another observation was that animals that use hallucinogenic plants occasionally remain drug-free longer than those that use them regularly.

Interestingly, some animals are not affected by Datura.

The beetles have biochemical defenses against the poison of some narcotic plants. Ants have the same abilities and are able to recognize them among other plants. Often, having studied certain seeds, they leave without touching them.

Bees are also not exposed to drugs.

Different species of birds are able to distinguish seeds that are harmless to them, and also have a mechanism for neutralizing plant poisons.

Using the animal world as a model for study, ancient hunters began to use datura, first introducing it into witchcraft rituals, and then began to find more and more optimal doses for medicinal purposes.

The use of this plant has been traced by scientists throughout human history. We can confidently talk about the prospects for using datura in the future.

Detoxification of the environment is necessary to preserve nature so that humanity can begin to live in greater harmony with its Earth. The increase in environmental pollution as a result of modern technocratic industrialization leads to environmental destruction and irreparable losses in flora and fauna. Every day the problem of its purification becomes more and more important and significant. And datura can partially help solve this problem.

“Datura bushes can act like a sponge, absorbing heavy metal elements from contaminated soil. The toxins concentrated in its trunk can then be removed, and the remaining parts of the plant can be used pharmacologically.” Reading these lines from Dr. T. McKenna, you begin to understand that only in closer collaboration with plants and nature in general can we hope for the possibility of our survival as a species in the future. By ignoring the benefits that plants such as datura can give us, or seeing it only as a “grass of oblivion,” we pass by a large number of potential opportunities that ensure our survival in the modern world.

Varieties

Datura grass has 13 species of plants. In our country, three varieties of Datura are most often grown:

1. Ordinary.
2. Indian.
3. Indian.

The grass Datura vulgare is a tenacious plant. In many countries it is considered a weed. Datura common grows up to 1.2 m in height. The stem of this plant is erect, covered with large leaves. One bush produces relatively few flowers, which begin to bloom from the end of June. The length of the inflorescences reaches 10 cm.

This species has an ornamental subspecies Tatula. The inflorescences of this plant have a pleasant blue, quite bright hue.

Indian Datura is a very poisonous plant. The foliage of this flower is grayish-green and ovoid in shape. White flowers can be single or double. Their length does not exceed 12 cm. The ancient Indians used this plant as a hallucinogenic drug, as well as an effective sleeping pill.

The most decorative species is considered to be the Indian dope. Branched bushes reach a height of 1 m. The leaves are large and grow on long petioles. Their shape is oblong and their color is dark green. This species has three popular subspecies:

1. Ballerina. The flowers are double and consist of several rows of fused funnels. The color of the buds can be yellow or purple.
2. Flora Pleno. The double buds are colored purple with white dots.
3. Medea. The flowers are simple, white, reaching up to 20 cm in length.

Asthma remedy

Datura herb, photos and descriptions of which can be found on the Internet, has been used in traditional medicine recipes for a long time. And this healing plant will quickly help in the treatment of bronchial asthma.

At the moment, there are 3 ways to combat the disease:

1. A mixture of 7 parts datura leaves powder, 1 part henbane, 1 part sodium nitrate, 2 parts belladonna leaves. This powder can be burned and inhaled, or smoked like a cigarette.
2. They produce cigarettes called Astmatin - 2 parts henbane, 1 part sodium nitrate and 8 parts dope.
3. A decoction of Datura leaves is used to inhale the vapors through the nose. The principle is the same as in the treatment with boiled hot potatoes.

Datura in medicine

The medicinal properties of the herb Datura have been known to people for many centuries. In Ancient Greece in the 4th century BC. e. Many medicinal properties of this plant have been described. Also a doctor of the 11th century AD. e. Avicenna argued that it was a strong narcotic. The medicinal properties of the plant depend on the content of alkaloids and other active substances in it.

In modern medicine, the medicinal qualities of Datura are used. The therapeutic effect is due to the alkaloids it contains. They have an antispasmodic and anticholinergic effect on the body. The preparations are made from Datura leaves. They are effective for convulsive coughs and spasms of the bronchial muscles.

Presenting the description and use of the Datura herb, it is worth noting that medicines based on it are used in the treatment of a number of diseases. These include bronchial asthma, gastric and duodenal ulcers, and bronchitis. Also, drugs of this type are effective for colitis, tachycardia, cholecystitis, as well as a number of mental illnesses. Medicines based on Datura are prescribed for motion sickness, rheumatism, and neuralgia.

Preparations based on the presented plant are actively used as rubbing, douching, and enemas. Oil tinctures are also made from the plant.

Datura is actively used in veterinary medicine. It is used as a remedy for convulsions in cattle and to increase body fat in pigs.

Datura leaves in the form of dry powder are added to special cigarettes for asthmatics. For constipation, tinctures from this remedy are used internally. Datura oil is effective during hair removal.

Biochemical composition

When first discovered, the biochemical composition of the herb was of great interest to medical workers, because the alkaloids of tropane compounds present in Datura help scientists isolate 3 very important components from them.

They are:

1. The first component is atropine, known to everyone. Available only by prescription, acts as a poison in overdose. Affects the gastrointestinal tract, respiratory center, genitourinary system and to some extent the central nervous system. Atropine is a vital component in medicine.
2. Next comes the active substance of the medicinal preparations - hyoscyamine, which is directly intended for the treatment of bile ducts accompanied by spasms. It reduces the impact on smooth muscle tissue, in particular on the uterus and intestines.
3. And the last alkaloid included in the herb Datura is scopolamine, which mainly causes a sedative effect, as a result of which motor activity decreases and a hypnotic effect occurs in humans. The narcotic effect of this component turns people into obedient “zombies,” which plays into the hands of experienced swindlers and thieves in their criminal schemes.

Caution during use

Caution must be exercised when using Datura herb. It is worth remembering that this is a poisonous plant. If the dose is calculated incorrectly, the person may become poisoned. In some cases this ends in death. Therefore, the use of such a remedy during the treatment process must be taken with full responsibility.

Datura is absolutely not suitable for self-treatment. The seeds of the plant are especially poisonous. However, alkaloids are found in almost all parts of the plant, just in lower concentrations.

If a person takes a large dose of dope-based medicine, characteristic symptoms of poisoning will appear. In this case, the pupils dilate and the oral mucosa dries out. The voice becomes hoarse and the pulse increases noticeably. The headache gradually increases. The skin of the face and neck turns red.

When poisoned, a person suffers from severe thirst. He feels excited, nervous. Hallucinations may appear and speech becomes incoherent. If no action is taken, the person falls into a coma. It is worth considering that dope poisoning most often occurs in children. They can find this plant in the garden and collect seeds from it. If the baby swallows this part of the plant, help will need to be provided immediately. Therefore, it is not advisable to plant this plant in the garden if you have small children.

When the first symptoms of poisoning appear, you need to rinse your stomach. To do this, prepare a weak solution of potassium permanganate. An adult should drink three liters of prepared water. Then vomiting is induced artificially or naturally. At this time you need to call an ambulance.

After gastric lavage, a person will need anticholinesterase and cholinomimetic drugs, possibly morphine (this is decided by emergency doctors; no drugs can be taken on their own). You can drink adsorbents and after a few minutes rinse your stomach again. After this, symptomatic treatment is carried out, and restorative therapy is prescribed.

Breeding on site

During the flowering period, Datura looks very attractive. Gardeners plant certain varieties of Datura in garden plots for decorative purposes, especially since the plant is unpretentious in care. And flowering is accompanied by the spread of a pleasant aroma with tropical notes, covering other odors in the garden area.

For full growth and abundant flowering, the flower needs a lot of sunlight, regular watering and loose soil. In the shade, the plant grows poorly and looks unattractive. The need for moisture is explained by increased evaporation through large leaf plates. Due to lack of water, the flower's leaves and buds fall off. The soil should be nutritious and rich in organic matter. Acidic soils are not suitable for growing.

Plant on the site

During the season, fertilizing is carried out every week, alternating the mineral composition and organic matter. Flowering is stimulated by hard water, such as milk of lime. Unopened flower tubes indicate a lack of nutrition and moisture.

The bushes are transplanted into pots for the winter and placed in a non-residential, bright room with a temperature no higher than +15°, otherwise the plant will stretch. Rarely watered. After wintering, when some of the leaves fall off, pruning is done.

The peculiarity of the plant is its “monopoly” on space. No weeds grow near it. The poisonous properties of Datura keep them at a distance, as well as parasitic insects.

Procurement of raw materials

The healing effect of the herb Datura is used in traditional medicine. It is important to properly prepare raw materials for the preparation of medicines. To do this, you will need to follow certain rules. It is worth remembering that this is a rather unsafe plant that can cause serious poisoning.

Datura collection is carried out in the warm season. In this case, the weather should be good and sunny. Rain and dampness do not allow us to prepare high-quality raw materials. Collection is carried out from 10 am and later.

It is necessary to collect plant material during flowering until autumn. During this time, it is possible to collect leaves 3-4 times. It depends on the growth rate of the datura. Freshly picked leaves need to be dried quickly. To do this, you will need to use special equipment. The leaves are dried at a temperature of about 45ºС. Collection of material is possible only from cultivated plants. Wild dope is not suitable for these purposes.

Features of planting dope

The place for the datura in the garden is chosen to be warm and sunny. The plant is not afraid of exposure to direct sunlight and can withstand high temperatures in the summer heat.

However, the Datura flower does not tolerate drafts, therefore, it is advisable to plant it in a corner of the garden protected from the wind.

The soil in the area where the herbaceous shrub is supposed to be grown should be well-drained and moderately moist.

Datura prefers to grow where the roots will be more dry than in a permanent swamp. The soil should never be acidic.

Security measures

During the procurement of raw materials, certain safety measures are followed. You cannot collect this plant with your bare hands. Be sure to use rubber gloves. Drying dope at home is strictly prohibited, much less using an oven for this purpose.

The collected plants need to be divided, selecting leaves, seeds, and flowers separately. Medicines from them are also prepared separately. Jars containing plant material must be tightly closed. The blanks are stored in this form for up to 2 years.

Even if the work was carried out with gloves, your hands should be washed well with soap after the procedure, preferably several times. If there are small children in the house, it is unacceptable to store such preparations in accessible places.

Datura at the site

Datura is used in landscape design in single and group plantings. It looks impressive in the background of mixborders. Spreading bushes with prominent flowers will decorate the flower garden and provide a source of pleasant scent. An Indian species with bright flowers suitable for pot and container growing.

The spreading plants serve as small borders and successfully fill empty spaces left behind by perennials that bloom in early spring. If you install additional support, the dope will be pulled up to eye level.

Watch also the video on the topic:

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The herb Datura is actively used in folk medicine. For this, dried leaves of this plant are used. With severe shortness of breath and convulsive cough, this remedy has a positive effect on the body. In case of bronchial asthma, a person is advised to breathe the smoke of burnt dope leaves.

For stomach cancer, an infusion of the leaves relieves pain. The presented remedy is also used for epilepsy, mental disorders, neurasthenia, and convulsions. However, you should take drugs prepared from this plant orally only after consulting a doctor. Proportions and dosages are selected exclusively individually. It is strictly forbidden to prepare such products yourself, as severe poisoning can occur. The likelihood of death in this case is high.

Decoctions of Datura seeds are suitable for external use. They are used to rinse the throat and mouth. For mastopathy and mastitis, compresses from infusions of dope seeds are used.

For inflammation of the ovaries, as well as for a number of other diseases of the female reproductive system, douching is done based on the presented remedy. Oil infusions are used to treat eczema.

Harmful effects

Datura is poisonous and should be handled with caution. The herb is definitely contraindicated for people with glaucoma. They are even prohibited from being near the plantings. Do not take during pregnancy or while breastfeeding. It happens that small children are attracted to boxes of datura grass. They open them and push the seeds into their mouths, which causes poisoning.

Box with seeds

Toxic substances begin to act on the body quickly. Signs of poisoning include blue lips and mouth, dilated pupils, rapid heartbeat and speech impairment. The temperature rises and swelling of the face appears. In severe cases, seizures and hallucinations are observed. If there is no help, the respiratory system is blocked and a person may die.

Long-term use of drugs with dope, in addition to its therapeutic effects, leads to mental disorders.

Contraindications

Datura grass, as already mentioned, is a rather unsafe, poisonous remedy. Therefore, it is strictly prohibited to use it without consulting a doctor. Self-medication in this case can easily result in severe poisoning. It is also worth considering that there are several contraindications for the use of such products.

Small children should not be treated with Datura infusions. In this case, even an experienced doctor will not be able to accurately determine the dosage. The likelihood of harming the child will be much higher than the benefit of the medicine. Also, do not use the product if you have glaucoma.

During pregnancy and lactation, taking such drugs internally or even externally is also prohibited. This can negatively affect both the course of pregnancy and the development of the baby.

Growing in open ground

In mid-latitudes, Datura is grown through seedlings. Only in this case will the bushes bloom luxuriantly in summer. Seedlings grown indoors are planted in open ground only after they reach a height of at least 15 centimeters. Seedlings are planted in the garden in May or in the first days of June, after the threat of return frosts has passed.

When planting dope, you should take into account that the bushes are fast-growing and quite large. It is because of this that a distance of at least 100 cm is maintained between them. The appearance of the first buds is observed 15–30 days after planting the bushes in open ground.

When choosing a site for planting such a crop, you should take into account that it must be sunny and have good protection from strong gusts of wind. The fact is that its stems are extremely fragile, and due to strong gusts of wind they can break. After the planting hole has been prepared, a layer of drainage should be placed on its bottom; for this you can use crushed stone or pieces of brick. Thanks to this, you will be able to avoid stagnation of liquid in the root system.

In open ground, Datura is cultivated only as an annual, because it is not able to survive a frosty winter. However, if desired, it can be saved until next spring. To do this, in the fall the bush is dug up, planted in a large container and brought into a heated room (possibly into the house).

Features of use during pregnancy and breastfeeding

During the period of bearing a baby, a woman should take care of her health as much as possible. But no one is immune from unwanted diseases, and often drug treatment is successfully replaced by folk remedies.

But there is no need to rush to brew and use various familiar herbal mixtures, as this can significantly harm the baby during intrauterine development, and even lead to spontaneous abortion. Toxic substances in the datura herb can cause a sharp decrease in oxygen in the mother's blood and cause asphyxia of the fetus or its death.

It is important to follow the recommendations of a doctor , who individually selects the dosage of using the herb for each person.

Medical use

Datura herb is actively used in both traditional and folk medicine. In pharmacies you can find the following dosage forms using this plant:

1. Oil tincture is used for external use, but for chronic constipation it can be taken internally;
2. Oil prepared from its fruits and seeds is commonly used as an hair removal agent;
3. The plant can be found in various herbal preparations aimed at treating asthma, bronchitis and other similar diseases;
4. This plant is also used to make anti-inflammatory drugs for rheumatism, arthritis and pleurisy.

All medicines containing stray grass are available only with a doctor's prescription.

Poisonous fruits of Datura

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In folk medicine, there are a huge number of recipes that include datura herb:

1. Shortness of breath or severe cough - the dried leaves are crushed and 0.1 grams of the product are mixed with a glass of water. This remedy is taken three times a day;
2. Paroxysmal cough - it is recommended to inhale smoke from burnt leaves of the plant;
3. Chronic cough - 10 grams of wild grass seeds are thoroughly crushed and poured with 50 milliliters of 70 percent alcohol. Then the resulting mixture is infused in a dark place for 14 days. Once ready, the infusion is taken 4 times a day, 2 drops, with plenty of liquid;
4. Epilepsy, convulsions, excessive nervous and sexual excitability - a teaspoon of whole dope seeds is poured with 200 milliliters of boiling water and left for 30-40 minutes. This tincture is consumed three times a day, 1 teaspoon;
5. Depression - 1 drop of freshly squeezed juice from the leaves of the plant is mixed with two tablespoons of water and taken this mixture 3 times a day;
6. Bruises, sprains, hematomas, mastitis, etc. - pour a teaspoon of seeds into a glass of hot water and boil for 1 minute. The decoction can be used as a means to rub the affected areas;
7. Erysipelas - 20 grams of crushed seeds are mixed with 250 milliliters of boiling water and left for 1-2 hours. After the tincture is ready, add another 250 milliliters of clean water and use it as a lotion on inflamed areas of the skin;
8. Prolapse of the uterus and rectum - 20 grams of crushed leaves are poured into 2 liters of water and simmered in a steam bath for an hour. The resulting broth is poured into a hot bath. It is recommended to take such a bath for 20-30 minutes;
9. Cramps and other painful sensations in the stomach - 4 grams of seeds are mixed with 4 grams of Adonis seeds and 200 milliliters of water and then left for 40-50 minutes in a water bath. The resulting infusion is taken 4 times a day, one teaspoon before meals.

Symptoms of Datura poisoning

Signs of dope intoxication can appear both immediately after consumption and a day later:

• drying of mucous membranes;
• enlarged pupils, visual hallucinations, excited state;
• convulsions;
• fainting, memory loss.

Basically, dope poisoning is accompanied by high blood pressure, but the severe stage may be accompanied by severe hypotension. As a result, a heart attack or stopping of the respiratory muscles occurs.

At the first symptoms of poisoning, you should call for medical help.

Measures to provide assistance while waiting for a doctor are divided into 2 types:

1. If the person is conscious, immediately rinse his stomach with water and give him an enterosorbent to drink.
2. If a person faints, tight clothing needs to be loosened. Place him on the right shoulder and feel the heartbeat. If irregularities in the pulse and breathing are noticed, you should immediately begin resuscitation efforts - perform mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration and chest compressions.

Datura oil for hair removal

The toxic properties of Datura have a detrimental effect on hair follicles. After the procedures, the hair becomes thin and subsequently falls out. Sunflower oil tincture is especially effective for hair removal.

This method of hair removal is suitable for people with dry skin.

To determine individual intolerance to the components of the tincture, apply a small amount of oil to the inside of the wrist and leave for 20 minutes. At the end of the time, the result will be noticeable: if there is redness, you should not remove hair with the help of a plant, and if the application does not cause irritation, you can continue.

Mode of application:

1. Grind the dope seeds in a container not suitable for food and pour vegetable oil over them.
2. Infuse for 1 month in a hermetically sealed container. Rub a few drops into your hair 3 times a day for 2 months.
3. The oil is applied to dry skin. It is recommended to leave it on for about an hour for the desired effect. Datura oil has proven itself to be an excellent external remedy.

Side effects and contraindications to the use of dope

Careless handling of Datura vulgare, drugs and preparations made from it is fraught with a serious poisonous effect.

Symptoms, the manifestations of which can develop from 10 minutes to 15 hours, in such cases include:

• dry skin;
• dry mouth;
• hoarse voice;
• thirst;
• nausea and vomiting;
• overexcitability;
• intermittent pulse.

There are cases where Datura grass causes severe hallucinations. Intoxicating plants can lead to convulsions and loss of eye reaction to light, and the pupils remain dilated for up to a half-moon even after doctors have managed to relieve the patient of other symptoms of poisoning.

Related article: Field calendula - beneficial properties, description

People who have been diagnosed with at least one of the following diagnoses should not use drugs based on Datura leaves and seeds to avoid serious consequences:

• glaucoma;
• arterial hypertension;
• chronic diseases of the heart, liver, kidneys;
• ulcerative colitis;
• intestinal atony;
• prostate adenoma.

The beneficial properties of Datura are not limited to the fight against human diseases.

Using it as an additive to pig feed increases the fat content of meat. With the help of infusions and decoctions, gardeners and gardeners destroy harmful insects. Veterinarians use Datura to protect their pets from seizures. However, the main thing in Datura grass, taking into account the existing contraindications, is the relief of human suffering.

Soil preparation and sowing

Datura loves fertile but light soil, like tomatoes and eggplants. If it is not possible to purchase such soil in a store, then you can make it yourself. To do this, mix regular soil from a summer cottage in equal parts, add humus and river sand. It is advisable that the sand is not fine.

The soil, if it is collected on the street and not purchased in a specialized store, is calcined in the oven to get rid of harmful bacteria and microorganisms that can destroy the datura at the germination stage. If there is no oven, then the entire soil can be treated with boiling water in which potassium permanganate is dissolved.

To ensure that the grains germinate properly, follow these simple rules:

• Since datura roots grow long, choose a rectangular and deep box with drainage holes.
• The box is placed on a pallet and completely filled with soil.
• Water the entire soil thoroughly to ensure there is enough moisture for a long time.
• The seeds are evenly laid out on the surface of the soil at a distance of 3 cm from each other.
• Cover the top with dry soil no more than 1 centimeter thick.
• All this is dusted with fine wood ash, which will protect the sprouts from accidental fungi.
• The box is covered with waterproof transparent film or glass and placed on a sunny windowsill. The air temperature should be from 25°C to 30°C.

Next, you should be patient, as the grains germinate very slowly. It usually takes at least three weeks for the first leaf to appear. All this time you need to make sure that the soil is not dry.

And moisten it very carefully, slightly opening the edge of the film or glass

Only after the first shoots have hatched, the film is opened halfway, but not completely removed. After two days, the film or glass can be completely removed.

During active growth, Datura needs a lot of moisture, but it is not advisable to keep the upper part of the soil wet so that fungi do not multiply on it.

Therefore, they water by pouring liquid into a pan, from where the dope roots themselves absorb as much moisture as they need. If after six hours the moisture remains in the pan, then it is drained.

The most difficult thing in this matter is watering. To understand whether there is enough moisture in the box, you need to poke your finger into the ground to a depth of 1.5 cm; if the soil there is wet, then there is enough water.

Reproduction methods

Flower growers practice several effective methods for independently obtaining a new plant. Possible propagation options for “African chamomile” are described below.

Cuttings

If a perennial overwinters indoors in the fall, then in February the gardener is recommended to cut off the side shoots from the crop, the length of which should be within 6-10 centimeters. For work, you must use a sharp, disinfected knife. The cutting areas of the mother crop and cuttings are treated with charcoal powder; if there is green mass at the ends, it is recommended to remove it. Then the collected material is placed in a container with warm water to germinate the roots. For stimulation, you can use any growth accelerator that is added to the liquid. The water in the container must be changed regularly, and the room temperature must be maintained in the range of +20-22 degrees.

After the roots appear, the petioles are planted in pots with a special soil mixture. It is best to take cuttings and germinate osteospermum in a substrate consisting of humus, fine sand and garden soil.

Some gardeners practice the cutting method, skipping the intermediate stage of keeping the separated parts of the flower in water, rooting the shoots directly into a container with soil. The flower reproduces in this way only if a mini-greenhouse is created with good lighting, moderate moisture and regular ventilation.

Seeds

To grow a crop from seeds, planting material is collected or purchased. Selected seeds for seedlings must be rooted in the ground in March-April. Before deepening them, the seeds are kept in a damp cloth or in a container with a small amount of water.

If you collect or purchase fresh seeds, it is recommended to germinate them in special peat tablets or in ordinary plastic containers. To avoid damage to young crops when planting together, each flower should initially be planted in a separate container.

The seeds need to be deepened no more than 5 mm into the ground, after which the soil must be moistened with a spray bottle, and a mini-greenhouse must be made using any covering material that allows light to pass through. Caring for seedlings comes down to regular ventilation and moistening. The optimal air temperature in the room with osteospermum seedlings will be +20-22 degrees. The film can be removed from the plants when the first shoots appear on the surface. Next, young crops should grow in a well-lit place. As soon as the plants get stronger, they need to be gradually accustomed to fresh air by placing containers with young flowers outside for a while, gradually increasing its duration. Planting in open ground can be done in the spring, when the temperature outside does not drop below +15 degrees even in the dark.

Dividing the bush

Osteospermum can also be propagated by dividing the adult culture into several parts. To do this, you need to dig the flower out of the ground and divide it into the required number of parts containing roots. New crops can be deepened into the ground immediately.

Datura care

It will consist of frequent watering, fertilizing and regular pruning. Datura requires a lot of moisture. It must be watered daily, and if the days are hot, then twice a day. If the soil is not sufficiently nutritious, then weekly fertilizing will be necessary during the growing season and flowering. You can use complete mineral fertilizer. Alternation with organics gives a good effect. If datura is grown as a houseplant, then it should be taken into account that winter is a dormant period for it. Consequently, watering is reduced and fertilizing is stopped altogether.

Pruning the datura is the most important condition for obtaining abundant flowering. But this applies mainly to perennial species of datura, which are grown in regions with a mild climate. It is necessary because flowers are born exclusively on young shoots of the plant. Also, after flowering, perennial datura can form a beautiful crown.

Reproduction of Datura

To preserve all the specific characteristics of the plant, datura must be propagated only vegetatively, by cuttings. This is usually done in the fall. A young, non-lignified cutting can be rooted in a container with soil, or it can be placed in a glass of water. After rooting, the datura is grown as a houseplant, and in the spring, when the earth warms up and stable heat is established, it can be planted in open ground.

To grow datura as a houseplant, root cuttings and germinate seeds, you can use a mixture of two parts garden soil, two parts humus and part sand.

Collecting Datura seeds

Annual species of datura are most often grown by seeds. But in this case, it may not be possible to preserve the species characteristics of the flower. They are collected from ripe dope cones. The difficulty is that there is a danger of missing the moment of opening the box. In this case, all the seeds will spill onto the ground. To avoid this, you need to put special covers made of gauze or nylon on your favorite cones, which will prevent the seeds from disappearing when the box is opened. In the spring, you can grow datura seedlings from them and plant them after the onset of warm weather. But you can also sow directly into open ground. But it is better to do this if spring is early in the region. Otherwise, you will have to wait longer for the datura to bloom.

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Caring for datura vulgare and photos of flowers

When planting dope in your garden, choose a place away from the children's area, if you have one. Its smell is truly intoxicating. Moreover, little children are inquisitive and strive to taste and touch everything. There is probably no point in talking about the consequences of such curiosity; they are obvious.

Despite the exceptional unpretentiousness of Datura vulgare, some care for the plant is still needed.

Place

Sunny, dry and windless conditions are chosen for it. Its tall stems break from a strong blow. A beautiful flowering bush can serve as an excellent camouflage for an old manure or compost pile. Moreover, it will mask not only the ugly appearance, but also the unpleasant smell.

Datura can serve as an excellent cover for a compost heap.

Watering

Datura needs a plentiful supply, otherwise the flowering will be sparse. In normal summers it is watered once every two days, in hot summers - every day. It is not recommended to water the plant with a hose; it needs settled water, preferably hard water.

Feed

Datura must be taken once a week. If it grows on a manure or compost heap, mineral fertilizers should be used; it already has enough organic matter. If you planted it in regular soil, then you need to alternate the mineral complex with organic fertilizers.

To stimulate flowering, the buds must be removed.

The soil should be loose and fertile.

Trimming

- This is a necessary procedure. It forms a bush and increases flowering. After its completion, the dope undergoes radical pruning, cutting off all the shoots. But only if it is grown as a perennial and overwinters in the warmth of an apartment in a pot. As a rule, it is used as an annual plant, because it cannot withstand winter frosts in open ground.

To stimulate flowering

, if you do not plan to collect seeds, faded buds should be removed. If collecting seeds is necessary, leave the largest faded buds on the bush and tear off the rest.

Self-seeding

- this is a common thing for Datura. When the fruit ripens, it cracks, the seeds spill into the soil and germinate easily. But it is not a fact that they will survive the winter, especially a harsh one. If you plan to collect them, you need to use a little trick, otherwise you may not have time. When the box begins to ripen, it needs to be wrapped in a bag made from ordinary nylon tights. As a rule, seeds collected from their own plants have much higher germination rates than purchased ones.