Datura metel

What does Datura metel look like?

Datura metel is a bushy plant that can reach up to 1.8 meters tall. Its stems are hollow, sometimes green or deep purple-black, and have a strong smell. The leaves are oval, sometimes dark violet, and can be smooth or deeply lobed. Its flowers are large, trumpet-shaped, and come in a wide range of colors from white and cream to yellow, red, and violet. Some forms have single flowers, while others have double or triple layers. The flowers are pleasantly scented and can last up to a week. Its seed capsules are warty or have short spines, unlike the sharply spined fruits of related species.

Where does Datura metel come from?

Although once thought to be native to India or Asia, Datura metel is now known to have originated in the Americas, likely the Greater Antilles. It was introduced to Asia, including India and China, before the arrival of Europeans in the Americas, possibly by human activity or natural means. The plant spread widely and became naturalised in warm, humid regions around the world. Datura metel is considered a collection of ancient cultivars, likely selected by early horticulturists for their colorful, long-lasting flowers and less spiny fruits.

When and how Datura metel blooms

Datura metel grows as an annual or short-lived perennial, thriving in warm, humid climates. It is often grown from seed or cuttings taken from the woody stem base. The plant prefers rich, well-drained soil and can be found in gardens and wild areas. Its flowers appear singly or in clusters, with some cultivated forms showing double or triple corollas. The plant is propagated both for ornamental use and for its traditional roles in medicine and ritual.

How Datura metel is used

The plant is valued as an ornamental for its striking flowers and is grown in gardens worldwide. In traditional Chinese medicine, it is one of the 50 fundamental herbs, though its use is highly restricted due to its toxicity. In India and other parts of Asia, it has a long history in religious and magical practices, especially in Hindu worship and rituals. All parts of the plant are highly poisonous and have been used both medicinally and, historically, as a criminal poison.

Kinds of Datura metel

Several cultivated forms exist, such as 'Fastuosa' with purple-black stems and double or triple purple and white flowers, and 'Chlorantha' with yellow blooms. These cultivars have been given many names in gardens, including 'Black', 'Blackcurrant Swirl', and 'Ballerina Yellow'. The species as grown today is essentially a mix of these ancient cultivated types, with no known wild form.

What Datura metel means

Datura metel has deep roots in religious and magical traditions, especially in India and China, where it is linked to worship of Shiva and Taoist practices. It is mentioned in early Sanskrit and Chinese texts as a hallucinogen and is associated with both Hindu and Buddhist rituals. The plant is also known for its role in criminal history in India, where it was used by robbers to stupefy victims. Its toxicity is widely recognised, and its cultivation is restricted in some countries.

Where Datura metel is used and seen

Jardin botanique exotique de MentonA Mediterranean garden in Menton with rare and exotic plants from around the world

Questions people ask about Datura metel

Good reading and sources

• Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
• Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
• Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database

• Datura metel on WikipediaEncyclopedia
• More photos on Wikimedia CommonsPhotos
• Wikidata recordOpen data