Today a made a somewhat startling discovery. One of the wonderful plants that I have been photographing for several years, is highly toxic and can actually be fatal in relatively small amounts. It grows along the river-walk next to the Susquehanna River. Common names for it include, Loco Weed, Jimson Weed, Thornapple, Moon Flower, Devils Trumpet and in Spanish, Toloache. It’s scientific name is Datura stramonium. From my friends at Google and Wikipedia I learned:

For centuries, datura has been used as a herbal medicine to relieve asthma symptoms and as an analgesic during surgery or bonesetting. It is also a powerful hallucinogen and deliriant, which is used spiritually for the intense visions it produces. However, the tropane alkaloids which are responsible for both the medicinal and hallucinogenic properties are fatally toxic in only slightly higher amounts than the medicinal dosage, and careless use often results in hospitalizations and deaths.

Surprising, after several years of taking it’s picture I have never once touched it.