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Plant World

Flowers and Unusual Plants

What is the origin of the name “Jimson weed”?

Jimson weed (Datura stramonium) is a corruption of the name “Jamestown weed.” The colonists of Jamestown, Virginia, were familiar with this weed. It is also known as thorn apple, mad apple, stinkwort, angel’s trumpet, devil’s trumpet, stinkweed, dewtry, and white man’s weed. Even when consumed in moderate amounts, every part of this plant is poisonous and potentially deadly. Today, extracts are still used to treat asthma, intestinal cramps, and other disorders.



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