Datura stramonium

The common thorn apple (Datura stramonium L.) is a flowering plant belonging to the Solanaceae family (Angiosperms Dicotyledons). Like other species of Datura (Datura steel, Datura metel, etc..) Is a plant highly poisonous due to high concentrations of potent alkaloids, present in all districts of the plant, mainly in seeds.

Morphology

Herbaceous plant with annual cycle, has a root taproot, fusiform, and an erect stem, with bifurcations branching and height that can reach two meters. The leaves are simple and alternate, large, stalked, lamina with oval, asymmetrical base and margin jagged-toothed.

The flowers are hermaphroditic, up to 10 cm long and lonely, these terminal areas and armpits of the various branches. The cup is elongated and composed of 5 sepals lobe welded by this develops a white corolla, sometimes with shades of purple, tubular-shaped, 5 petals welded sharp and crinkled. L 'androecium consists of five stamens, a pistil from the harem with ovarian overcome, bi-and carpels biloculare fitted with unique style and bifid stigma.

Flowering occurs between July and October, the flowers remain closed during the day and then completely open the night, giving off an intense and penetrating odor that attracts the moths, the 'pollinating insects is in fact (by pollinating insects).

The fruit is a globular capsule, divided into four galleries, the size of a walnut and bristling with thorns (hence the name walnut spinosa), inside there are many blacks and kidney-shaped seeds, about 3 mm long.



Source: http://it.wikipedia.org/wiki/Datura_stramonium

See Also: International Flower Delivery, Florist