Datura quercifolia
Encyclopedia
Datura quercifolia, commonly known as the oak-leaf thorn-apple or the Chinese thorn-apple, is a small shrub in the genus Datura
. It can grow within dry or moist soils and requires large amount of sunlight to grow.
The species
was first described in 1818 by Alexander von Humboldt
. Its leaves resemble oak leaves
, hence the name quercifolia. It grows in Mexico
and the Southwestern United States
, where it is a ground cover or an upright bush up to 3 ft. tall. It produces green colored fruit with long sharp spikes or spines. The unremarkable light blue funnel-shaped flowers are less than 2 in. long. Except for its unusual leaves, Datura quercifolia does not have much ornamental value
Datura
Datura is a genus of nine species of vespertine flowering plants belonging to the family Solanaceae. Its precise and natural distribution is uncertain, owing to its extensive cultivation and naturalization throughout the temperate and tropical regions of the globe...
. It can grow within dry or moist soils and requires large amount of sunlight to grow.
The species
Species
In biology, a species is one of the basic units of biological classification and a taxonomic rank. A species is often defined as a group of organisms capable of interbreeding and producing fertile offspring. While in many cases this definition is adequate, more precise or differing measures are...
was first described in 1818 by Alexander von Humboldt
Alexander von Humboldt
Friedrich Wilhelm Heinrich Alexander Freiherr von Humboldt was a German naturalist and explorer, and the younger brother of the Prussian minister, philosopher and linguist Wilhelm von Humboldt...
. Its leaves resemble oak leaves
Oak
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus Quercus , of which about 600 species exist. "Oak" may also appear in the names of species in related genera, notably Lithocarpus...
, hence the name quercifolia. It grows in Mexico
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
and the Southwestern United States
Southwestern United States
The Southwestern United States is a region defined in different ways by different sources. Broad definitions include nearly a quarter of the United States, including Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada, New Mexico, Oklahoma, Texas and Utah...
, where it is a ground cover or an upright bush up to 3 ft. tall. It produces green colored fruit with long sharp spikes or spines. The unremarkable light blue funnel-shaped flowers are less than 2 in. long. Except for its unusual leaves, Datura quercifolia does not have much ornamental value
Toxicity
All parts of Datura plants contain dangerous levels of poison and may be fatal if ingested by humans or other animals, including livestock and pets. In some places it is prohibited to buy, sell or cultivate Datura plants.External links
- Photographs of Datura quercifolia
- USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Profile: Datura quercifolia Kunth
- USDA Germplasm Resources Information Network (GRIN): Datura quercifolia Kunth
- Datura quercifolia from Plants for the Future