MerlinsMagic

Thank you, LYN...genius!!

Posted on 09/26/08, 12:28 pm

I found out that the mystery plant I have is, indeed, the Jimson weed and is very poisonous. It is not from my part of the country so the possibilities as to where it came from are intriguing, to say the least! I can't believe that these seeds contain atropine and scopolamine just to name two....I want to personally thank you, Lyn...You just broke my husband out of a bad mood, he had the doldrums before reading about this. I have a love of things paranormal and this plant is called a witches' plant!! Getting an answer to the identity of this has been most interesting, lol!

• Reply #1 09/26/08  3:24pm
  
  lovemy2
  why is it called the witches plant..? now i want to plant one..haha. well maybe not if it is that poisonous!!! haha.
• Reply #2 09/26/08  5:26pm
  
  LynneC
  It IS poisonous; it is a form of digitalis, which is a heart medficine in the right dose, but is deadly in the wrong amount. However, it is not all that likely to be eaten by livestock or wildlife, probably due to its taste or smell. I pull it anytime it appears in a field, but I have 145 acres, so I know I do not get it all by any means. For all that it IS poisonous, it IS an interesting plant in appearance. As for how it reached your area, Merlin, global warming has caused a lot of species to begin expanding their range; perhaps it has been carried in that way.

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