Appearance
It is a vigorous herbaceous perennial that grows 30 cm to 1.5 m tall and wide.The leaves are broad and rounded at the base, tapering to a point, often with wavy margins. The flowers are the most striking feature, being sweetly fragrant white trumpets up to 20 cm long, often tinted purple, especially at the margin.
Five narrow points are spaced symmetrically around the rim. It can bloom from April to October. In clear weather, flowers open at nearly full dark and wither a few hours after sunrise the following morning; in cloudy weather, they may open earlier and last longer.
The seeds are borne in a spiny, globular capsule 3 to 4 cm in diameter, which opens when fully ripe.
Naming
The name commemorates the botanist Charles Wright.In the US, it is sometimes called "western Jimson weed" because of its resemblance to "Datura stramonium". Anglophone settlers in California often called it "Indian whiskey" because of its ritual intoxicating use by many tribes; the name "sacred datura" has the same origin. Other common names include "Indian apple" and "nightshade". The Tongva call it "manit" and the Chumash "momoy". Mexicans call this and similar species "tolguacha". or "toloache".
The scientific name has frequently been given as "Datura meteloides" Dunal, but this name is actually a synonym of "D. inoxia" Mill., a Mexican plant with a narrower flower having 10 rather than five "teeth" at the rim.
Distribution
"D. wrightii" is found in northern Mexico and the adjoining U. S. states, as far north as southern Utah, in open land with well-drained soils. It is also commonly planted as an ornamental, especially in xeriscapes.
Defense
All parts of "Datura" plants contain dangerous levels of anticholinergic tropane alkaloids and may be fatal if ingested by humans, livestock, or pets. In some places, it is prohibited to buy, sell or cultivate "Datura" plants.References:
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