Datura stramonium infesation sprayed1 (14501265697)

Description:

Description: Introduced, warm-season, annual, erect, stout herb to 1.5 m tall; emitting a strong odour when crushed. Leaves are up to 35 cm long and lobed; lobes are toothed or wavy. Flowers are trumpet shaped and 5-lobed, with 3-4 cm long fused sepals and much longer (6-8 cm) fused white to lavender petals. Fruit are erect, 2-4.5 cm long and have numerous stout spines. Seeds are black or grey, pitted and 2.5–4.5 mm long. Flowering is in summer. Probably a native of North America, it is a weed of disturbed areas (e.g. riverbanks and ploughed paddocks) and wasteland. Competes strongly with summer growing crops (especially soybean) and may act as alternative host for solanaceous crop pests and diseases. Produces toxic hallucinogenic alkaloids that can cause death of all types of stock. Not readily eaten by stock due to its strong odour and unpleasant taste, but has potential to contaminate silage, hay and seed. Control should aim to prevent seed set and can include grubbing, cultivation or pre/post emergent herbicides where appropriate. Seeds are prolific and live longer than 30 years, so control can be a long-term exercise. Date: 17 July 2014, 13:37. Source: Datura stramonium infesation sprayed1. Author: Harry Rose from South West Rocks, Australia.